Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park. Photo from National Park Service

The Montana and Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council is joining opposition in Indian Country to the removal of the grizzly bear from the protections of the Endangered Species Act.

The council passed a resolution last month that accuses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of failing to consult tribes and of failing to take tribal cultural and religious practices into account. Tribes in Montana and Wyoming have strong connections to the grizzly bear population in Yellowstone National Park.

"The sovereignty and spiritual rights of tribal nations in Montana and Wyoming are threatened by the proposed delisting," Ivan Posey, the chairman of council, said in an open letter.

Tribes are worried that the delisting will lead to sport hunting for the bear in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

Get the Story:
Wyoming, Montana tribal leaders oppose grizzly delisting (The Casper Star-Tribune 1/9)

Related Stories:
Native Sun News: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe fights bear delisting (12/24)
Tribes oppose removal of grizzly bear from endangered list (11/12)