Environment | National | Trust

County wants to deliver apology to Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Friday, April 25, 2014

Commissioners in Ravalli County, Montana, say they have been trying to deliver an apology letter to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The county wants to apologize for racist comments made by a former land planning official. But commissioners said the haven't been able to set up a meeting with the tribe.

Chairman Ronald Trahan did send a letter to the county regarding the land-into-trust application that's at the center of the debate. He said the tribe has something else in mind.

"The best possible apology would be not to interfere with the transfer of the Medicine Tree property from fee to trust status," the letter states, The Ravalli Republic reported. "This would honor our continued religious and cultural connection with the property."

The tribe wants the sacred Medicine Tree placed in trust. The county, however, is asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs for more information.

Get the Story:
County delays decision on tribe’s request (The Ravalli Republic 4/25)
Ravalli Co. commissioners still trying to deliver apology to CSKT (KECI 4/24)
Ravalli County still hoping to deliver apology to CSKT (KPAX 4/24)