Little Shell opposition plans Feb. election

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – Leaders of an opposition faction within Montana’s Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians are planning an election to replace the existing Tribal Council.

John Gilbert with the Little Shell Chippewa Alliance says the election will be in February. He says a mail-in referendum tallied Friday supported the move by a 365 to 6 vote margin.

Tribal Chairman John Sinclair says he asked his supporters not to participate in a process he called illegal. Sinclair wants to hold the tribe’s first ever tribunal and put members of the Alliance on trial.

The push for political sea change within the tribe comes after state officials withheld $867,000 in grants and stimulus money because of the Little Shell’s poor accounting practices.

The landless, 4,300 member tribe is recognized by the state. In October, its 31-year bid for federal recognition was denied by the U.S. Department of Interior.