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TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2003

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Blackfeet Nation of Montana appear headed to another confrontation over law enforcement on the reservation.

In February, the BIA took over the tribe's police department, replacing with a federal force. But the tribe has now put 10 of its own officers on patrol, and told the BIA to return its police equipment.

"They also kicked us off the powwow grounds," BIA special agent Ed Naranjo told The Great Falls Tribune. "According to the chairman it was sacred ground and we were not welcome."

The two forces appear to be operating independently, with the BIA not recognizing the tribe's activities.

Get the Story:
Blackfeet start new police force (The Great Falls Tribune 7/22)

Relevant Links:
Blackfeet Nation - http://www.blackfeetnation.com

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BIA takeover of police force praised, criticized (04/14)
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Blackfeet Nation in talks with BIA on police force (2/20)
'Something needed to be done' about tribe's police (2/18)
BIA takes over Blackfeet Nation police force (2/17)
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