The U.S. Supreme Court in 2001 affirmed ownership of the southern third of Lake Coeur d'Alene to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe but at least one local official doesn't seem to accept the ruling.

Benewah County Commissioner Jack Buell and his wife refused to accept the tribe's jurisdiction during a routine police stop on the lake. Buell reportedly told tribal police that "Indians have no jurisdiction and can't pull white people over on the St. Joe River in Benewah County," and his wife, Eleanor, reportedly struck one of the officers.

"Do you Indians know where you are?" Buell said, according to tribal police reports.

The tribe wants the federal government to charge Eleanor Buell with assault on a federal officer.

Get the Story:
Tribe urges charges against commissioner's spouse (AP 7/25)
Police seek charges against official's wife (The Spokesman Review 7/24)

Idaho v. United States (00-189):
Syllabus | Opinion | Dissent

Related Stories:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe wins lake ownership case (6/19)
Supreme Court to rule on lake ownership (12/13)
State wants Coeur d'Alene Lake (7/27)