The Narragansett Tribe and officials in Charlestown, Rhode Island, are still working on an agreement regarding police powers on tribal lands.

Last week, the town announced that it had reached an arrangement where the tribe and the state have concurrent jurisdiction on tribal land. But tribal leaders said the deal was premature and more details need to be worked out.

The tribe's settlement act confers state civil and criminal jurisdiction to the state. On trust lands outside the original reservation, there appears to be no similar grant of jurisdiction.

Discussions continue as tribal council member Bella Noka continues her fast to protest treatment of the tribe. She wants the state to drop its objections to a land-into-trust request for an elderly housing project.

Get the Story:
Town, tribe disagree on proposed police cooperation plan (The Chariho Times 3/18)
Tribal member's fast is a 'cry out to our government' (The Providence Journal 3/18)
pwpwd
CHARLESTOWN OFFICIALS DENY CHARGE MADE BY TRIBAL COUNCILOR ON FAST (The Westerly Sun 3/17)

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

Related Stories:
Narragansett council member on hunger strike (3/17)
Narragansett leader pleads not guilty to hitting officer (3/12)
Incidents test tribe's relationship with police (3/5)
Narragansett Tribe seeks police agreement with town (3/3)