The Spirit Lake Nation of North Dakota has hired a new social services director.

The tribe fired Mark Little Owl, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, after he was charged in connection with a domestic violence incident. He was found guilty of a lesser charge of theft after a trial earlier this month.

Paul Hutchinson took over as interim director earlier this year. But he was fired and will be replaced by Robert O’Keefe, who is non-Indian, according to news reports.

The tribe has faced scrutiny due to allegations of widespread child abuse on the reservation. At least three children have died recently under suspicious circumstances.

Get the Story:
Social services director out at Spirit Lake (The Grand Forks Herald 8/30)
Spirit Lake Tribal Council fires Social Services Director (WDAZ 8/29)
Little Owl guilty on one count of theft (The Grand Forks Herald 8/10)

Related Stories:
Column: A crisis for Indian children on the Spirit Lake Nation (07/01)