The Blackfeet Nation of Montana will hold a council election this year amid an ongoing leadership dispute.

The council has fallen into two factions, each claiming to represent the tribe. Neither side appears to agree on the number of seats up for grabs and each side has set up rival election boards.

Even the Bureau of Indian Affairs is wondering what's going on. The agency says the current election board lacks legitimacy because it hasn't been approved by a quorum of the council -- something that's impossible to achieve due to the leadership dispute.

The failure to name an election board "puts the 2014 tribal election in jeopardy," BIA Superintendent Thedis Crowe told the tribe, the paper reported.

The primary is supposed to take place June 3, with the general election to follow on June 24.

Get the Story:
A nation divided: Blackfeet pin future hopes on election; factions demand, reject BIA oversight (The Great Falls Tribune 4/14)