Leaders of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana are criticizing their colleagues for refusing $111,000 in recycled Jack Abramoff money.

Chairman John "Chance" Houle said the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council should have taken the money even though it was coming from Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana), who is trying to distance himself from Abramoff.

"We don't see this money as tainted," Houle told The Havre Daily News.

Vice chairman Bruce Sunchild Sr. said the tribes could have put the money to good use. "Given a chance, I would have accepted it," he told the paper. "I don't think it was a very good move. Our moneys are kind of short."

The tribe also sent out a statement in support of Burns and the funding he has secured for Indian programs.

Get the Story:
Tribal council members offer support for senator (The Havre Daily News 1/24)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Conrad Burns - http://burns.senate.gov
Montana Republican Party - http://www.mtgop.org
Montana Democratic Party - http://www.montanademocrats.org

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