Feud on Northern Cheyenne continues

LAME DEER, Mont. – Much of the information in this article is based on an email communication in the nature of a Press Release forwarded to this reporter from the Tribal President’s Office and a Tribal Council member.  The lengthy letter, while unsigned includes direct quotes from President Rynaela Whitman Pena, however both Pena and the Tribal Council member were unavailable for comment.

Apparently, Pena recognized that additional manpower would be necessary for the Tribe’s efforts to combat the CoVid threat. At the beginning of that (approximately March) she approached the Chiefs and Societies in a traditional manner offering tobacco and gifts, requesting their voluntary assistance. The societies were requested to help with roadblocks on Hwy 212, major thoroughfare crossing the reservation to limit interaction with out-of-area travelers.  While without authority to stop or detain travelers, they did effectively encourage people to move on rather than stop on the Reservation. They established a camp at the intersection of Hwy 39 and 212, now commonly referred to as the “Roundabout Societies” and have continuously occupied that for several months, on a volunteer basis. Later, their role was expanded to include enforcement of a then-mandatory curfew, including the Tribal President’s granddaughters, video-taped, showing Pena’s intervention and widely aired on Facebook. But, all in all, these measures seem to have been extremely helpful as the Northern Cheyenne Reservation is now CoVid free, the only person who was diagnosed has recovered.

Unfortunately, some of the over- zealous young Society members went a little further: apprehending and beating suspected drug dealers, an act applauded by some community members, frustrated with the lack of law enforcement action related to such crimes.  Others, however deplored those acts of violence and since, the society members have refrained from similar actions, featured twice in Billings-based media, explaining their peaceful intent.

To add fuel to the fire, the Societies declared that they would not deal with the Tribal President, as, in their view, women have no traditional right to be in leadership positions.  They demanded that the Tribal President and three female Council members be suspended pending negotiations.  The Tribal Council did not address or react this this demand. Yet, that issue continues to linger.

Pena consulted with traditional leaders again and the roadblocks were removed.  However, according to her office a “dissident” faction continues to camp and take law enforcement matters into their own hands as Pena said “under the delusion they are law enforcement officers. In my opinion they are imposters.”  On another note, the local B.I.A. officers have frequently requested Society assistance in house intoxicate persons at the camp, due to limited detention facilities (see related story).  The Tribe has responded by amending the Tribal Law and Order Code:  making impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer and intimidation among the highest offenses.

Most recently, on July 22, the societies held a protest march and demonstration at the Northern Cheyenne Capital Building, demanding to be paid for the volunteer services they have provided over the past several months.  This notion may have been inspired by the Blackfeet Tribe which is also now using traditional groups for traffic control, paying for those services from CoVid Funding.

The march was inconclusive and while Tribal Council member Waylon Rogers is attempting to set up a negotiation meeting, Pena is refusing to participate. “As the elected Tribal President I refuse to meet with these individuals who use violence and physical force to extort money from the Tribe,  I will, however respectfully meet with the Legitimate Headsmen and Honorable Chiefs to continue to find ways to protect our people during these uncertain times.”

Pena has been elected to the Montana State Legislature and is therefore not expected to seek another term as Tribal President.  The Tribal primary election will be held in September and the general in November, but the Tribe already seems to be moving into a “Lame Duck” mode.

 

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

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