Commissioners in Cascade County, Montana, voted Tuesday to back the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe's bid for federal recognition.

The county supported the tribe's recognition and agreed to help the tribe obtain land should the tribe win recognition. About 800 of the tribe's 4,000-plus members live in the county.

In May 2000, the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a proposed finding in favor of recognition. But tribal leaders say they are tired of waiting for a final answer and have asked Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) to sponsor a bill to grant them recognition.

As part of that process, the tribe is lining up local support. Four other counties are being asked to support the tribe's recognition.

Get the Story:
County backs Little Shell band (The Great Falls Tribune 11/9)

Relevant Links:
Little Shell Tribe - http://www.littleshelltribe.com

Related Stories:
Little Shell Tribe seeks support for recognition bid (11/2)
Little Shell Tribe seeks federal recognition through bill (07/04)
Little Shell Tribe seeks support for recognition bid (07/07)
Little Shell Tribe sees delay in recognition (05/27)
Mont. court recognizes tribe through common law (05/01)
Little Shell case could help federal recognition (05/01)
Little Shell finding a departure (08/16)
Decisions put Gover in the middle (08/16)