NCAI's Johnson named to state panel on raid

Jackie Johnson, the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, has been named to the state panel studying the July 14 raid of the Narragansett Tribe's smoke shop.

Johnson is the first member of the panel with Indian affairs experience. Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) had been urged to appoint someone from the Indian community.

�I am honored to accept the invitation to serve on this panel. In order to heal the wounds created on July 14 and move forward toward better state-tribal relations in Rhode Island, there must be accountability for what has taken place," said Johnson in a statement.

Randy Noka, first council member for the Narragansett Tribe, which belongs to NCAI, welcomed Johnson's involvement. �Jackie Johnson is very objective and open-minded. She will be a good advocate to help the panel reach its objectives," he said in a statement.

The panel doesn't have a deadline to conclude its investigation and report. n internal state police probe cleared troopers of wrongdoing for the raid.