William Old Chief: Corruption ignored on Blackfeet Reservation

Crime has gone rampant on the reservation because there is no leadership; as a matter of fact, it is the leadership who is breaking the law and telling law enforcement, “You can’t touch me, I’m sovereign.” Residential break-ins have increased because the thieves know there will be no investigation or prosecution. Each week, reports of crimes on the Blackfeet reservation are common knowledge in all the state’s newspapers, radio and television stations. The president is sending John Kerry to the Middle East for peace talks; I wish he would stop on the Blackfeet reservation and utilize his peace-making skills here and help stop the suffering of the people who have illegally lost their jobs and have no means to support their families or those who are living in constant fear of reprisal because of fabricated charges.

No one seems to care! Millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted, stolen or misused and no one cares. The BIA, when asked for assistance in this matter that has existed since Aug. 27, 2012, reply that it’s an internal conflict. What about their “Trust Responsibility” they talk about when it comes to our money from tribal resources and now the Elouise Cobell record $3.4 billion settlement? They sure don’t turn that over to the tribes and say, “That’s an internal conflict”; you manage the money.