A non-profit group that is trying to preserve the Little Bighorn battle site is challenging the jurisdiction of the Crow Tribe of Montana.

The Custer Battlefield Preservation Committee is buying up land around the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. But even though the land is located within reservation boundaries, the group says the tribe has no jurisdiction over its activities.

The issue arose after the Crow tribal court issued a restraining order blocking the committee from impacting land owned by Janice Smith. Smith is a member of a Washington tribe who owns land near the battle site and wants to use it for a museum and interpretive center.

The committee is now suing the tribe and Smith in federal court in hopes of blocking further action. U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull has issued a temporary restraining order against the tribe and will hold a hearing on Friday to consider further arguments.

Get the Story:
Legal battle over battle site (The Billings Gazette 10/19)

Relevant Links:
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument - http://www.nps.gov/libi

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