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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2003

A Little Shell Chippewa tribal member on the losing side of a Montana Supreme Court decision said the case could help the tribe's bid for federal recognition.

Darrel Koke filed suit to contest a tribal election. But the state court said it had no jurisdiction.

"I'm very disappointed," Koke told The Great Falls Tribune, "but it may benefit us in the long run because the opinion says we're a sovereign nation.

Get the Story:
High court: State must stay out of Indian elections (The Great Falls Tribune 5/1)

Court Decision and Court Briefs:
Koke v. Little Shell Chippewa (April 2003)

Related Documents:
Federal Register Notice: Little Shell Chippewa (July 2000)

Related Stories:
RNC chief: Recognition 'steep in integrity' (09/13)
Little Shell deadline extended (03/28)
Landless tribe seeks property (1/21)
Mont. supporting Little Shell recognition (10/15)
McCaleb reverses recognition decisions (9/28)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
Little Shell recognition favored by state (3/9)
Little Shell recognition supported (02/02)
Little Shell ask for extension (10/30)
Little Shell finding a departure (08/16)
Decisions put Gover in the middle (08/16)
Little Shell celebrate (06/26)
Little Shell begin work (06/21)
Little Shell get recognized (05/30)