Tension within the Cayuga Indian Nation continues to rise, with the council now turning to the federal government to investigate what they are calling "acts of terrorism."

The council on Sunday asked the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for Western New York to investigate the rioting and acts of violence that took place on Saturday.

Cayuga Nation traditionalists had called a press conference to reinforce the traditional leadership of their seven chiefs. After that, a violent fight broke out where members were pepper sprayed, zip-tied, and arrested.

Clint Halftown, the federally assigned leader of the Nation, released a statement Sunday, saying “none of these Chiefs are citizens of the federally recognized Cayuga Nation. They reside in Canada and are leaders of Canadian tribes. If the Prime Minister of Canada or any other foreign leader came into the United States for purpose of creating disorder and harm to persons and property, that leader would be held accountable for their actions.”

Traditionalist members of the Cayuga Nation said Halftown's police force is ruthless. They also said the nation doesn't recognize borders, but recognizes one tribe over a large spread of land with seven chiefs to represent it.

After last week's seizure and destruction of 11 buildings which are Cayuga Nation property, the question of leadership and land ownership is still being debated.