Page 12 - Flathead Beacon // 11.27.13

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS NOVEMBER 27, 2013 | 11

Blackfeet Council Members

Facts

FIGURES
Butt Heads Over New Appointee

Numbers in the news
mise in hopes of moving Fractured council agrees

things forward.
to pay its bills as impasse
15
After that deal was
made, Running Crane continues in Browning
and Augare said the two
Percentage points Re- sides agreed to meet on By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
Monday, Nov. 25, to dis-
publican Congressman cuss ways to reunite the The Blackfeet Tribal Business Coun-
Steve Daines leads his
split government. But cil took two steps forward and then three
closer Democratic chal- on Nov. 21, Chairman steps back last week.
lenger in the 2014 U.S. Sharp’s faction expelled After agreeing to pay its employees
Senate race, according Councilman Gaurdipee for the irst time in nearly a month, it ap-
and replaced him with peared that the divided council was mak-
to Public Policy Polling
a new member, Allen ing progress in resolving the issues that
Shane Goss.
have plagued the tribal government since
October. But on Nov. 21, Chairman Willie In October, Sharp
6.6%
Tribal councilor and state Sen. Shannon Augare.
Sharp Jr. announced his faction had ex- tried to personally sus-
FILE PHOTO BY JUSTIN FRANZ | FLATHEAD BEACON.
pelled Councilman Leonard Guardipee pend Guardipee because
Flathead County’s and replaced him with Allen Shane Goss.
of improper conduct on a trip to Washing- its matters internally.
“We’ve lost all good faith in Chairman ton, D.C. After that, the council split, with Augare said he hopes the impasse will
non-seasonally adjusted Sharp and Councilwoman Forestina Calf one side remaining at tribal headquarters be resolved soon and added that he be-
unemployment rate in Boss Ribs. We’re taking steps backwards,” and the other setting up shop at the trib- lieves the BIA needs to “decide who is right
said Councilman Shannon Augare on Fri- al casino. Sharp said Guardipee was sup- and who is wrong so that this government
October 2013.
day. “Willie Sharp has created his own posed to meet with the council on Nov. 21 can move forward.”
fantasy land of power where he’s not just to discuss his future on the board. When Augare has rarely spoken to the media
8.3%
the chairman, he’s the whole council.”
Guardipee did not show up to the meet- since his legal trouble arose and during
Since October, the government that ing, Sharp’s faction, including Old Chief, the government crisis. Earlier this month,
overseas a reservation the size of Dela- Calf Boss Ribs, Little Dog and McEvers, Augare pleaded guilty to drunken driving,
Flathead County’s ware has been split. On one side is Sharp went ahead and replaced him. Sharp said reckless driving and obstructing a peace
and Calf Boss Ribs, along with recently re- the appointment of Goss gives his faction a oicer in federal court because if a traic
non-seasonally adjusted appointed members Bill Old Chief, Cheryl quorum to conduct business.
stop in May near Cut Bank.
unemployment rate in
October 2012.
Little Dog and Paul McEvers. On the other “We’ve got six members so we’re mov- But Augare he said he hoped that the
side are Augare, Guardipee, Roger “Sassy” ing on,” Sharp said. “The crisis is over.”
council could come together and resolve
Running Crane and Chief Earl Old Person.
But Augare said Sharp’s faction has its issues so it could get back to work.
On Nov. 20, Sharp announced that the again overstepped its bounds with Goss’ Regardless of what happens in the com-
1,126
two sides had come to an agreement to pay appointment.
ing weeks, Augare noted that the recent
employees and vendors for the irst time “(Goss) was a custodian two days ago events in the Blackfeet tribal government
in nearly a month. According to Augare, and now he’s been illegally appointed to show that something needs to be done to
North Dakota residents all of the council members except Old its constitution. Many have said that the
reporting seven-igure the highest oice in Blackfeet Country,”
Chief, Little Dog and McEvers signed a Aguare said.
issues the Blackfeet are facing are rooted
incomes last year, nearly document requesting the tribe’s funds be Running Crane said he believes in a lawed government system that does
double from the year unfrozen and that the previous treasurer the Bureau of Indian Afairs will reject not allow for separation of powers.
be reinstated. Treasurer Tinsuwella Bird Goss’ appointment and that in the end, “It doesn’t matter what side you’re on,
before, boosted by Rattler was ired by Sharp in October after Guardipee’s expulsion will be “null and I think we can all agree that there are a lot
the state’s booming oil she refused to issue checks to the recently void.”
of loopholes in our constitution,” Augare
reinstated council members. The agree- Sharp disputed claims that his ac- said. “This is the perfect time to bring
economy.
ment also allowed the treasurer to issue tions were illegal or that he was running about constitutional reform and that dis-
two paychecks to Old Chief, Little Dog and the council by himself. He said he believes cussion should include all sides of the
McEvers. Augare said although his faction the BIA will approve the appointment of council.”
still does not recognize the three as voting Goss and that he is only doing what the [email protected]
members, the payments were a compro-
BIA wants the tribe to do, which is solve

ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER?
H
UG
REPLAY SPORTS
E S
ELEC
TIOO
N F QU
ALITU
Y
SED
A
BUY • SELL • TRADE • CONSIGN
ND NEW
GE
NEW & USED
Snowboards AR
Snowshoes

X/C Skis & boots
Downhill Skis & Boots

Hockey Gear

406-752-5005 • 2593 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell • www.replaysportsmt.com
ALL THINGS WINTER