Lac du Flambeau tribal administration office
Tribe banishes non-members
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor LAC DU FLAMBEAU, Wis. — The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council passed a resolution to remove 28 non-tribal members from the reservation as part of a concerted effort to reduce crime on the reservation. In an attempt to crack down on criminal activity on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation; Lac du Flambeau Tribal police carrying out a resolution passed by the tribal council, notified 28 individuals last Monday that they were to vacate the reservation and not return for five years. The tribal council passed the resolution on Monday, May 5, and began notifying the 28 non-tribal members that same day that they had 48 hours to vacate the reservation. The resolution also provides for civil and criminal penalties for those who would try to enter the reservation. "We have a moral and ethical obligation to protect our elders, children and families," said Tribal President Tom Maulson. "These are very tough decisions; removing someone from our Reservation is not something we take lightly and we do so with heavy hearts.” This is the second time that the tribe has removed non-members from the reservation as part of a Tribal-wide initiative designed to address chemical dependency, drug abuse, poverty, crime and other challenges facing the community. Last August the tribal council removed 53 members following a declaration of a State of Emergency by the tribe in response to a surge in crime, violence and drug related overdose deaths in the community. The removal is one of many ways that tribes across the country are using tribal sovereignty creatively to address problems on reservations Tribal President Tom Maulson assured the public that, “The end goal is to ensure a safe and wholesome environment for our law abiding Tribal Members, residents and visitors.” He would go on to say that those who were “not involved in illegal drug or other criminal activity” were welcome in the reservation community. Lac du Flambeau Chief of Police, Bob Brandenburg, said that those who were chosen for exclusion from the reservation were chronic offenders committing crimes including illegal drug trafficking, assault, and/or involved with gang activity gang. "The problem was of such a nature that we were forced to again take this drastic action. It is a preventative measure, and has a deterrent effect on crime on the Reservation," said Chief Brandenburg. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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