Environment | National

Apology sought for treatment of tribes at grizzly bear meeting

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

At a Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee / Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee meeting last week, James Walks Along who is the historic preservation officer for the Northern Cheyenne tribe, was thrown off the stage and refused opportunity to speak on behalf of his tribe. Photo courtesy of GOAL Tribal Coalition

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana is seeking an apology from the state of Wyoming for a grizzly bear meeting recently held there.

James Walks Along, the tribe's historic preservation officer, was trying to address the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee when he was forced to stop. A group called GOAL (Guardians of Our Ancestors’ Legacy) Tribal Coalition posted video of the exchange at the meeting in Cody.

"I am extremely disappointed in the disrespect that was shown," President Llevando Fisher said in a statement, Reuters reported.

YouTube: Northern Cheyenne James Walks Along is thrown off the stage

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe is one of more than 30 that oppose the removal of the grizzly bear from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. They contend federal officials have ignored their requests for government-to-government consultation.

The grizzly bear coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told Reuters that consultation will take place this year. Details weren't reported.

Get the Story:
Tribe Seeks Wyoming Apology Over 'Disrespect' in Grizzly Bear Meeting (Reuters 5/19)