The Bureau of Indian Affairs won't communicate with "dissident" tribal factions, a top official said in a recent report from the Interior Department’s Office of the Inspector General.

The report, which hasn't been released publicly, looked into a leadership dispute within the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians of Maine. Marilyn Carlton was elected chief in 2007 but she never got into office because BIA regional director Franklin Keel backed a group of incumbents from 2005, the OIG said.

Keel, however, appeared to have no basis to make that determination, the OIG said. He defended his decision, saying he had to rely on information from the incumbents and their attorney.

it is the "BIA’s policy to not communicate with ‘dissident’ factions," Keel told the OIG, according to the report, which was obtained by Indian Country Today.

Carlton said the BIA has yet to resolve the issue. "The BIA has coddled this government in total disregard of the tribal members and their rights," she told ICT.

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Report: BIA official supported unelected Micmac chief and council for two years (Indian Country Today 4/15)