Opinion

Clara Caufield: Living in a state of emergency on my reservation

Monday, May 2, 2016

Sunset on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana, June 1973. Photo by Boyd Norton / Environmental Protection Agency / National Archives and Records Administration

Living under a state of emergency at Northern Cheyenne
A Cheyenne Voice
By Clara Caufield
www.nsweekly.com

The last few weeks on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation have been interesting, to say the least, as tribal members become accustomed to living under a “State of Emergency,” which to many is beginning to feel like a “Police State.”

The reservation has gone from being undermanned by B.I.A. officers to being swarmed by law enforcement officers of all persuasions: more B.I.A. units, F.B.I., Federal Marshalls, and of course as recently reported periodic National Guard fly-bys, all with very visible presence.

One day, for example, while driving home from Lame Deer to Busby I counted seven police vehicles on Highway 212. And just recently, in mid-morning I followed a convoy of eight police vehicles, traveling down that same route at a very high rate of speed (although we as citizens would be cited for that). It was easy to recognize the B.I.A. vehicles and a friend informed that a black SUV is the FBI and the final vehicle, a black pickup, a Federal Marshall.

The convoy turned into a lane leading to the house of a respected tribal elder; the vehicles surrounded the house and several officers, all clad in their intimidating black uniforms jumped out. That was all I observed, fearing that additional observation might break some kind of new law. However, other citizens have reported that such “raids” are extremely frightening and many times, the entire household has been arrested and jailed.

At any rate, I’m sure this was an intimidating and embarrassing experience for that tribal elder, a highly regarded church member, who certainly would never be involved in illegal activity, though perhaps someone in her extended family household was a suspect.