Blackfeet Nation council down to five instead of nine members

Thursday, January 10, 2013  

Political infighting within the Blackfeet Nation of Montana has left the tribal council down to just five members instead of the usual nine.

The dispute started when Jay St. Goddard was suspended from the council in March 2012. He's now facing federal charges of stealing tribal wildlife for organizing big-game hunts with country music stars.

Four council members tried to St. Goddard. But that led to a split and they were suspended by the remaning five members.

"It's really sad the way things are running now on our reservation," elder Barbara After Buffalo told the Associated Press.

Some tribal members went to the state Capitol in Helena and held signs that said "Blackfeet Against Corruption" to raise awareness of the struggle among state lawmakers.

Get the Story:
Blackfeet infighting spills into Capitol, court (AP 1/9)

Blackfeet men indicted over game hunts for country musicians (1/9)