A major shakeup could be coming to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ government.

Tribal members have collected more than 700 signatures on a petition that could force a recall vote of two councilmen affiliated with a group critical of longtime leaders. If the signatures are certified, David Bean and James Miles could be voted off of the seven-person council.

It would be the first recall vote in 20 years, former councilwoman Sylvia Miller said. The tribal council oversees all business of the tribe, one of Pierce County's largest employers.

“They’ve divided our tribe,” she said, “and we want our tribe back.”

But Miles and Bean say the recall attempt is the tribe’s old guard trying to reclaim lost political power and challenge their critics to produce documents backing up allegations.

About 40 recall supporters met on the banks of the Puyallup River in Tacoma’s Tideflats to announce the success of the signature-gathering process. They needed 691 signatures and had 702 as of Saturday afternoon.

“They’re a cultural embarrassment,” tribal member Marian Smith said. “They’re not living the way we were raised to behave. That’s the worst part. They’re dishonoring our traditions and our culture. They’re arrogant.”

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I'm heading to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians headquarters for a press release. Details upcoming.