The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians of Michigan is reportedly considering a new open meetings policy.

The tribal council at one point barred non-members from council meetings. The policy changed and The Petoskey News-Review has been able to cover most of the meetings but the paper was recently barred from an election board meeting.

According to the the tribal code, the tribal council, by motion, can bar non-members from its meetings. However, the tribal constitution says the tribal cannot make any laws abridging the freedom of the press.

A draft statute of a new open meetings policy was discussed at a tribal council meeting on Sunday but the paper wasn't present for that portion of the meeting.

Get the Story:
Tribe comes to aid of Bell’s; discusses open meetings statute (The Petoskey News-Review 3/9)

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