Harry Barnes. Photo from Facebook
The Blackfeet Nation of Montana is reviving a traditional practice in an attempt to address substance abuse on the reservation. The council passed a resolution that allows the tribe to banish drug dealers. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis, The Flathead Beacon reported. “The intention is to banish known drug dealers from the reservation by having law enforcement escort them to the reservation boundaries and informing them that if they come back they will be arrested,” Chairman Harry Barnes told the paper. Barnes said banishment is the only option because the tribal court's jurisdiction is limited. He also said the federal government has failed to prosecute all drug trafficking cases. Get the Story:
Effort to Banish Drug Dealers Raises Legal Questions (The Flathead Beacon 9/14)
Blackfeet Tribal Council Votes to Banish Drug Dealers (The Flathead Beacon 9/4)
Related Stories
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate chairman suspended for
drug tests (9/14) Gabriel Galanda: Banish drug dealers but don't disenroll them (9/8)
Spirit Lake Nation declares state of emergency to fight drugs (8/31)
Gyasi Ross: Indian Country entering a new era with drug game (08/19)
White House heroin plan includes tribes devastated by drug (08/18)
Senate committee examines costs of substance abuse on tribes (07/30)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe adopts banishment for drug dealers (07/29)
Native Sun News: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe takes on meth (07/17)
Join the Conversation
