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Narragansett council member on hunger strike


A council member for the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island went on a hunger strike on Monday to protest treatment of the tribe by state and local officials.

Bella Noka was one of several officials and members who were arrested during the state's raid of the reservation last July. Her husband, Randy Noka, a council member, and their daughter, Chali, 16, were also arrested

Bella Noka also cited a recent incident in which a council member had a run-in with a local police officer and the state's objection to a land-into-trust request for housing.

Tribal, local and state police held a summit on Monday to address jurisdiction on tribal lands. Congress passed a settlement act granting the state civil and criminal jurisdiction on the tribe's reservation.

Get the Story:
NARRAGANSETT TRIBAL COUNCILOR ON HUNGER STRIKE (The Westerly Sun 3/16)
Tribal, local and state police hold summit on jurisdiction (The Providence Journal 3/16)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

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Narragansett leader pleads not guilty to hitting officer (3/12)
Incidents test tribe's relationship with police (3/5)
Narragansett Tribe seeks police agreement with town (3/3)