Ken St. Marks. Photo from Native News Project / University of Montana
Ken St. Marks was sworn in as chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana last Thursday, some 16 months after winning an election for the post. St. Marks was removed by the tribal council in March 2013 but won his seat back in a special election in July 2013. However, his rivals prevented him from taking office, leading to a lawsuit in tribal court. The tribe's appeals court ruled for St. Marks on Wednesday, The Havre Daily News reported. It said the tribe's election committee was wrong to invalidate the results based on a dozen questionable ballots. “Though the Election Board was correct in finding a violation of the Election Ordinance, in this case, the particular violation had no practical effect in the outcome of the election,” the appeals court wrote, the Daily News reported. St. Marks always contended his removal last year was politically motivated. He said he was targeted because he asked federal investigators to look into corruption on the reservation. The U.S. Attorney's Office has since brought criminal cases against at least a dozen tribal leaders, employees and associates. Despite the victory for St. Marks, the tribal council remains in limbo due to a pending challenge to the November 4 election. Four winners have been prevented from taking office over one contested ballot, the Daily News reported. Get the Story:
St. Marks sworn in as Rocky Boy chair (The Havre Daily News 11/21)
Tribal appeals court upholds 2013 election (AP 11/21)
Rocky Boy swearing in deferred (The Havre Daily News 11/14)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Former chairman of Chippewa Cree Tribe enters guilty plea (11/13)
Republican lawmaker for reservations has felony conviction (11/10)
Former chairman of Chippewa Cree Tribe faces more charges (10/31)
Former health executive from Chippewa Cree Tribe sentenced (10/23)
Former chairman of Chippewa Cree Tribe to enter guilty plea (09/25)
Guardians Project brings more tribal corruption cases in Montana (9/24)
Another guilty plea comes in Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption case (08/19)
Chippewa Cree man sentenced to 7 1/2 years in corruption case (8/15)
Chippewa Cree Tribe takes Original Americans Foundation money (08/01)
Former employee sentenced for theft from Chippewa Cree Tribe (7/29)
Tribal corruption cases put Montana on top of prosecution list (7/14)
Ex-employee found guilty of stealing from Chippewa Cree Tribe (06/27)
Another person pleads guilty for Chippewa Cree Tribe scandal (5/13)
Former lawmaker pleads guilty in Chippewa Cree corruption case (04/03)
More criminal cases filed in thefts from Chippewa Cree Tribe (10/30)
Chairman of Chippewa Cree Tribe blocked from taking office (10/08)
Group forms to battle corruption on reservations in Montana (10/4)
New indictment in theft case involving Chippewa Cree Tribe (10/2)
Chippewa Cree Tribe delays swearing-in of chair amid challenge (08/08)