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Little Shell Chippewa Continue Efforts To Unite Two Tribal Councils

By Charlie Keegan

Story Created: Apr 9, 2011 at 7:22 PM MST

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2011 at 7:22 PM MST

Members of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe met in Great Falls Saturday to talk about unifying the two tribal councils.

Since 2008, the tribe has been split with one section headed by John Gilbert in Great Falls and another in Havre following John Sinclair. To be recognized by the federal government as a Native American Tribe, there can only be one tribal council.

In August, the Great Falls group wanted to have a three judge panel hear and decide the fate of the tribe. Gilbert spoke with Sinclair Friday and Saturday’s group decided to write Sinclair a letter to urge him to resolve the issue within two weeks through the panel.

“The number one idea we both lean towards is the three judge panel that was suggested by Tribal Chairman of the Tribal Leaders Council, at the time, James Steele. It’s something that we like, it’s something that’s never been done before, a tribal judges panel to decide an Indian issue, so we’re excited about that,” Gilbert explains.

Gilbert says another hopeful idea is two law professors at the University of Montana expressed interest in mediating the conflict.

The Little Shell Chippewa, known as the Landless Indians, has about 4,500 members.

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