The Red Lake IHS Hospital in Red Lake, Minnesota.

The Red Lake Nation of Minnesota banished an Indian Health Service administrator from the reservation after a series of complaints.

Mark Karzon is the CEO of the Red Lake Hospital. He was banished for allegedly mistreating staff and being disrespectful to tribal leaders.

"The doctors, staff.. were really happy with decision the council made because now...they don't have to watch behind their back," Secretary Donald Cook Sr. told WDAZ. "They were actually walking on eggshells (before the ban), they didn't know if they were next or who was next."

But Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr. questioned the vote to banish Karzon. He said the tribal council could have explored the issue further.

"As a last -- a very, very last -- resort, the removal/ banishment clause is exercised," Jourdain told WDAZ. "That's usually in extreme cases of very violent criminals, people who habitually violate the rights of members."

Karzon has not commented to the media. His banishment prevents him from going to work.

Get the Story:
Red Lake Nation's ban of federal official draws criticism (WDAZ 5/7)
Red Lake bans federal official from reservation (The Bemidji Pioneer 5/3)