Northern Arapaho dismiss suit against Shoshone leaders

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – The Northern Arapaho Tribe has dismissed a federal lawsuit against Eastern Shoshone tribal leaders in a dispute over a joint government body.

The tribes share the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. They have separate governments but operated a joint business council until the Northern Arapahos moved to dissolve it two years ago.

The Northern Arapaho this year sued two Shoshone leaders and officials of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in federal court in Montana. The lawsuit claimed the Shoshone unilaterally had continued to contract with the federal agency on mineral leases and other matters as the joint business council.

The Northern Arapaho dismissed the case against the Shoshone leaders Friday. Lawyers for the BIA filed notice they're entering mediation with the Arapaho to try to resolve remaining issues.