The tribal council of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians of Michigan has issued a declaration to dispute comments made by Chairman Ken Harrington to a local newspaper.

All nine council members signed the declaration. They said Harrington shouldn't have told The Petoskey News-Review that they agreed with the way he has been serving as chairman.

“The undersigned Tribal Councilors declare that they did not state, or in any way indicate, that they were supportive of the Tribal Chair's actions.”

The newspaper published a story about tribal elders who criticized Harrington at a September 13 council meeting. But a reporter wasn't able to provide a full account of the meeting because the reporter was excluded and escorted from tribal premises.

Harrington later told the paper that the tribal council discussed the criticism and "came out on his side," which the declaration disputes. Some council members also disagreed with the reporter's removal from the meeting.

Get the Story:
Tribal Council members sign declaration against tribal chair’s comments (The Petoskey News-Review 9/29)
Tribal Council debates legality of excusing reporter from last regular meeting (The Peoskey News-Review 9/29)

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