Ponina v. Leland

OPINION

By the Court,

Collins, C. J.:

This appeal is from an order determining heirship and a holding that Allie Ponina was not the wife and hence not the widow of Paul Ponina, deceased. We reverse that ruling and declare that Allie and Paul were husband and wife at the time of his death. She is therefore entitled to share in his estate as his widow.

Allie Ponina is an aged (71 years) full-blooded Paiute Indian and a member of the Pyramid Lake-Nixon Tribe. She was formerly married to a man named Lowery who died in 1950 or 1951.

Paul Ponina was also an aged full-blooded Paiute Indian but a member…