Then, there was a motion for reconsideration, and it passed. Tribal leaders didn't learn until later that the state was moving into governing them over their objections. Idaho potentially could save lots of money by turning all of those functions over to tribes, EchoHawk said. But in many of those areas, federal agencies like the Indian Health Service or the tribes themselves already are providing the services, rather than the state. Two of Idaho's tribes, the Nez Perce and the Sho-Bans, already operate their own welfare programs, using federal block grant funds that the state passes through to them.
Most tribes also maintain their own police forces and court systems.
The Coeur d'Alenes might not be quite ready for the move yet, he said. There are a couple of areas we need to bolster our services, and then we'd be able to provide those. Velma Bahe, chairman of the Kootenai Tribe, said learning about the issue was an eye-opener for her. In most cases, her small tribe has been the one providing or paying for services for its members, not the state, she said. We've always taken the responsibility.