Montana tribe accused of hostility at bison range

Wednesday, January 10, 2007  

A draft report by a former federal agent contains allegations of harassment and intimidation by employees of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana.

The report claims tribal employees created a hostile environment for federal workers at the National Bison Range. The tribe is handling some of the duties at the range under an annual funding agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tribal employees used vulgar and racist language, the report claims. But a tribal spokesperson disputed the investigation and said it was so flawed that the Interior Department rejected it.

Interior temporarily suspended the annual funding agreement last month but reinstated it a couple of weeks later. The tribe hopes to continue its relationship with the range, which is located entirely within the Flathead Reservation.

Get the Story:
Report details bison range charges (The Missoulian 1/10)
Report finds range workers often abused (AP 1/10)

Evaluation Report:
Implementation of the Annual Funding Agreement (May 2006)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - http://www.cskt.org
National Bison Range - http://bisonrange.fws.gov
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility - http://www.peer.org

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