Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1951-01-26
Resolution Authorizing Prosecution
OF Trespassers
No 6S-5O

WHEREAS: the cattle industry OF
the Blackfeet Reservation IS the main
INDUSTRY and resource of the Blackfeet
Indians. and
WHEREAS: the Blackfeet Indians
were promised by Agreement of Sep
gress and the President on June 10
1886. that Indian cattle would be al
lowed to feed undisturbed on the
blackfeet Reservation. and
WHEREAS: the livelihood OF ma
Jority OF the Blackfeet Indians Is plac-
ed in jeopardy by recent actions of the
Indian Bureau. including:
~ an order that rentals charged
70 indian livestock operators for the
use OF Indian lands be increased i'm
mediately by looec.
t2) an order denying Indians the
right to meet the high bids OF outside
oldderS and to receive leases identical
with those issued to outsiders.
~ an order discriminating against
indian range owners and Indian range
users by allowing free grazing on In
dian lands to out-of state owners OF
mature ambs-over the protest of the
Indians concerned; and
WHEREAS: these Indian Bureau de-
cSionS threaten TO completely destroy
the independent livelihood OF the
Blackfeet Indians and to make our
dian Bureau. and
WHEREAS: it IS the duty OF the
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council To
safeguard the tribe from this fate. and
WHEREAS: the lack OF cooperation
oS the indian Bureau makes it necesj-
sary for the Council to meet this
emergency by the exercise only OF
powers that do not require the ap-
proval or concurrence OF any Indian
Bureau officials. and
WHEREAS: the decision o. the
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council TO
withhold It's consent TO outside use OF
the Blactfeet lands Is, under the con-
Stitution. and corporate charter OF the
tribe ard the governing statutes of
Congress. not subject TO the review or
supervision OF any Indian Bureau Of
ficial. and
NOW. THEREFORE. be II resolved.
that the Blackfeet Tribe hereby With
holds tribal consent to any grazing lease
or permit which may be issued by the
Indian Bureau without the written ap-
prevail Of the Chairman and Secretary
OF the Tribal Business Council. and
hereby authorized its council chair
man and tribal attorney to cause APP
propriate legal proceedings to be in
stituted against any trespasser upon
Blackfeet lands. pursuant to Section
l7s OF Title IS. Of the United States
Code, which reads as follows:
IS. l7e. Driving stock TO feed on
lands. Every person who drives Or
otherwise conveys any stock OF
horses. mules. or cattle. TO range
and feed on any land belonging TO
any Indian or Indian tribe. without
the consent OF such tribe. Is liable
TO penalty of 81 for each animal
of such stock. This section shall
not apply to Creek lands
THE BLACKFEET TRIBE OF
THE BLACkFEET INDIAN
RESERVATION.
BY GEORGE PAMBRUN.
Chairman.
(SeaD
John p. Sharp. Secretary
Qualification
! hereby certify that the above fore
going resolution Is a true and exact
copy OF resolution passed by the
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council of
the Blacletect Indian Reservation. Mon
tana. in session held the 4th day OF
January. 1851. and In which a quorum
was present and that the vote was
tor said resolution.
JOHN p. SHARP.
Secretary.
First publication January ~. 1851
Last publication January &C. 1851