Tribal chairman ousted for third time

For the third time in slightly less than two years, the highest-elected body of the Rocky Boy's Chippewa Cree tribes has voted to expel its chairman, Ken Blatt-St. Marks.

"Pursuant to our constitutional authority, we find that Blatt-St. Marks has committed gross misconduct and neglected his duty," states an official opinion issued Monday by the Chippewa Cree Business Committee. "Our removal of Mr. Blatt-St. Marks is consistent with the procedures required by the Constitution and reflects the proper functioning of the Tribe's self-governance as a sovereign nation."

St. Marks was first elected by a majority of Chippewa Cree voters to chair the tribal business committee in November 2012. He was removed from office March 15, 2013, based upon allegations of theft, fraud, sexual harassment, employee intimidation, neglect of duty and gross misconduct.

St. Marks was re-elected to the chairmanship position by more than 40 percent of tribal voters during a special election held on July 30, 2013. Five weeks later the tribal election board invalidated those results, which led to a lengthy court battle.

The business council is the sole legislative and executive body of the tribe and oversees daily operations.

On Nov. 19, a tribal appeals court ruled the election board's action against St. Marks "was not a reasonable decision" and he was sworn in as chairman that same day. Two days later the Tribal Business Committee voted to remove St. Marks a second time, adding charges he improperly dismissed tribal judges and hired tribal officials without proper authority.

Chippewa Cree voters elected St. Marks to the chairmanship position for a third time Feb. 3. His most recent dismissal will necessitate scheduling the fourth election on the Rocky Boy's Reservation since November 2012.

In its most recent dismissal the Chippewa Cree Business Committee alleges St. Marks has defrauded the tribe of more than $2.3 million in fraudulent charges and shoddy or incomplete work performed by St. Marks' construction company, Arrow Enterprises. Additionally, St. Marks is charged with attempting to improperly "freeze" tribal bank accounts and with interfering with an ongoing bankruptcy proceeding.

St. Marks has never been officially charged in tribal, state or federal court based upon any of the 15 charges detailed in the business committee's opinion. He has consistently stated the business committee's actions were in retaliation for his cooperation with federal authorities investigation corruption on the Rocky Boy's Reservation.

"They just keep on making up lies, they keep on saying I stole money and I keep on telling them the same thing — 'Go get me indicted,'" St. Marks told the Tribune on Tuesday. "I've never went through the tribal court on these charges. The courts have never, ever charged me with anything. It's the tribal council that keeps acting like judge, jury and executioner."