Tribal membership should vote on withdrawing from county prosecution of federal crimes
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Editor,
To the contrary of the news article in Char-Koosta News Aug. 24, 2017, published in regard to Gov. Bullock signing Senate Bill 310 on Aug. 17, 2017 in CSKT Council Chambers.
The State of Montana did not get consent from CSKT in the mid-1950s during the termination era. The CSKT Tribal Council adopted Tribal Ordinance 40-A (revised) on May 5, 1965. Subsection 2(c) states “This ordinance is subject to possible referendum of the eligible voters of the Confederated Tribes pursuant to Article IX of the Constitution of the Confederated Tribes, and if a referendum is authorized and this ordinance is disapproved by a majority under the conditions set forth in Article IX, this ordinance shall be void and of no effect to transfer any jurisdiction to the State of Montana and its judicial system.”
Governor Tim Babcock signed a proclamation on Oct. 8, 1965 authorizing Chapter 81 Montana Session Laws of 1963. House Bill 55 and Tribal Ordinance 40-A (revised) to be in full force and effect 60 days from Oct. 8, 1965.
Why has Tribal Council withheld Article IX Referendum as the deciding factor to repealing 40-A (Revised)? Do they view the membership incompetent?
Why has Tribal Council chosen Senate Bill 310 over Article IX Referendum, the membership’s constitutional right to decide?
Has Tribal Council advised you under Article IX Referendum you have the right to vote on this issue?
Is this the representation you deserve, expect or accept? Your vote is your voice, use it or lose it.
Tribal Council needs to withdraw from Senate Bill 310 and conduct an Article IX Referendum for the membership to decide retrosession of 40-A (revised). If not, they need to be removed for violating their oath of office and denying the membership their right to Article IX on this issue.
Sept. 14, 2017 as a walk-in, I requested an Article IX Referendum vote on 40-A (Revised).
Thomas A. Lozeau, Jr.
Ronan
