Shocking Doc Reveals Crisis in Tribal Disenrollment: ‘Our People Are Being Erased, No Accountability’

In early 2025, the Palm Springs Film Festival unexpectedly dropped Ryan Flynn’s documentary “You’re No Indian” from its schedule, citing “scheduling errors.” Six months after this incident, the documentary, which delves into the contentious issue of tribal disenrollment, is set to premiere at the Dances With Films Festival on June 28.

The documentary by Flynn investigates the phenomenon of tribal disenrollment, which has resulted in over 11,000 Native Americans being stripped of their tribal affiliations. This process not only removes their membership but also erases their identities, rights, and community ties. According to the film, this is often driven by motives linked to casino revenue, political influence, and personal grievances. It portrays how some tribal governments in America use intimidation, violence, and legal grey areas to disown their members.

Flynn comments, “Tribal disenrollment is sweeping through Indigenous communities like a tidal wave across the nation. The fewer the members in a tribe, the larger the share of casino revenues they receive.”

In April, notable Indigenous actors Wes Studi and Tantoo Cardinal joined the project as executive producers. Cardinal expressed her commitment to the cause, highlighting the urgent need to address these injustices. She emphasized, “It’s crucial to shed light on this issue. Our communities are being systematically erased by unaccountable forces.”

Developing “You’re No Indian” took Flynn seven years, a significant portion of which involved gaining the trust of various disenrolled tribe members featured in the documentary.

Flynn explains, “The issue of disenrollment thrives in secrecy, and those who speak out risk severe repercussions. Participants in this documentary took great risks, facing potential retaliation. This project was about more than their individual stories; it was about considering the future of their descendants, as disenrollment impacts entire generations.”

He further states, “An unnoticed civil war is occurring in tribal communities across the country, often without any legal safeguards or due process, mainly affecting vulnerable members.”

The Bangin Beats had a conversation with Flynn before the Los Angeles premiere of “You’re No Indian” at the Dances With Films Festival.

How did you first become aware of tribal disenrollment?

Flynn shared that his discovery of tribal disenrollment came from a random search about how Indigenous people profit from casinos. This led him to uncover the harsh realities of tribal disenrollment, a topic previously unknown to him.

Why isn’t tribal disenrollment widely discussed in mainstream media?

He believes that despite ongoing racial reconciliation efforts in the U.S., Indigenous issues are often overlooked. Casinos are seen as a form of reparations, intended to alleviate poverty among tribes. However, the benefits are not reaching a significant portion of Indigenous populations.

What led to the removal of “You’re No Indian” from the Palm Springs Film Festival?

Flynn found the cancellation peculiar, especially since the film had sold out screenings. Despite being told it was a scheduling conflict, he was informed anonymously that tribal pressures might have influenced the decision, possibly due to threats of withdrawing sponsorships.

Do you fear that Dances With Films might also drop the documentary?

While there is some concern, Flynn remains hopeful. He acknowledges that some festivals might be hesitant to feature the film due to fears of backlash from casino-sponsored entities, but he appreciates the bold step taken by Dances With Films to include it in their lineup.