Members of the Blackfeet Nationof Montana ousted all four tribal council incumbents who were up for election this year.

Longtime chairman Earl Old Person and incumbent council member Edwin "Sooney" Little Plume lost overwhelmingly in the tribe's general election on June 24. Pat Thomas and Betty Cooper, two more incumbents, were defeated in the June 3 primary.

Voters said they were dissatisfied with the tribe's financial situation. Unemployment remains high on the reservation and the tribe has suffered budget problems.

"They expect a lot from their elected leaders and they expect to see change immediately," newly elected council member Reese "Reis" Fisher told The Great Falls Tribune.

Voters overwhelmingly approved a a referendum to add executive, legislative, judicial, traditional and ethical branches to the tribal government. A five-member committee will spend the next year to develop the new constitution.

Get the Story:
Election results reveal deep-seated disaffection among Blackfeet voters (The Great Falls Tribune 6/30)

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Blackfeet Nation ousts longtime chairman (6/25)