1976-05-15 Char-Koosta News

              Court Says Tax Not Legal
Allard Robbed
The   United States Supreme Court has handed down their opinion, which upholds a lower District Court decision concerning personal property taxes and cigarette sales taxes imposed bythe State of Montana on Indians residing on the Flathead reservation. The Court's opinion contains good news for the average Indian, however, Tribal smoke shop operators are still left in the dark concerning sales of cigarettes to non-Indians.
A letter from Tribal Attorneys Wilkenson, Cragun& Barker notified the Tribe of the Supreme Court decision April 29. Their letter accompanied a copy of the opinion issued by the Supreme Court on April 27.
The opinion was handed down almost four years to the day that smoke shop operator Joe Wheeler was arrested at his Evaro business. He had been arrested April 13, 1972, for posession of untaxed cigarettes. In briefly summarizing the Court's
decision, Tribal attorney stated.........
"That the State of Montana may not impose its personal property tax on personal property located within the Reservation and owned by Tribal members." Hopefully this will end the hassle for Tribal members with County Administration every year over the personal property exemp-tion on automobiles and other personal property owned by Tribal mem bers.
continued on page %
Talk about adding insult to injury! Doug Allard reported to Tribal Police that thieves broke into his Indian Museum   and stole not only several thousand dollars worth of Indian handicrafts, but also disarmed and stole his burglar alarm. Police speculate the thieves may have worn gloves, since no finger prints were found. The robbery was evidently "smooth"work according to the police incident report. Items reported missing from the St. Ignatius store included 1200-1500 rings, 400-500 bracelets, beadwork, an elkhorn bow, blankets, a nugget necklace, mocassins, leather gloves, and the burglar alarm, a vehicle and several occupants had been sighted at the scene earlier. Investigation is continuing.
NEWSPAPER OF THE SALISH, PEND D'ORIELLES AND KOOTENAI TRIBES
[OF THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 2
FULL MOON OF THE BITTERROOT
MAY 15, 1976
ADAMS JOINS COUNCIL No Charges in
Mitchell Shooting
Louie Adams, tribal member and BIA forestry employee of 13 years, literally ran away with the Arlee Councilman position in the May 1st election.
Adams ran on a platform of better understanding between the Council and our Tribal forestry program. Having been employed in the forestry business for some 22 years, Adams will bring a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the Council table. This type of experience is greatly needed now that the forestry program and logging sales have come under heavy fire.
Adams also stressed a greater representation of the people's wishes and retention of our Tribal Culture, whether it be Kootenai, Flathead, Pend d' Orielle 4
Adams received 237 of the 544 certified votes. Virginia Brazill was second with 107; Joe Hawkins 77; Dib Espinoza 33; Josephine Steele 28; Clarice Sanchez 24; Skip Wheeler 17; Joe Santos 12; Bea Noble 8; and one write in vote for Satch McDonald.
Poison: According to Lake County Attorney Richard Heinz, no charges have been filed in a shooting incident involving Tribal Chairman Harold Mitchell, Jr., and his brother Leo Mitchell. The alleged shooting of Leo Mitchell took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 25, at the Leo Mitchell residence.
Chairman Mitchell contends he fired in self defense after being threatened with a shovel, by his younger brother. Leo Mitchell has stated that he had not threatened his brother with the implement.
Leo was released from Holy Family Hospital after receiving treatment for wounds received in both feet. The hospital reports that the bullet from a big game rifle creased one toe, causing damage to the bone in one foot, and either fragments from the bullet or gravel riddled the other foot.
Heinz stated that the matter is still under investigation at this time. Two witnesses, Bob Hammond, of St. Ignatius, and Joann Roske, also of St. Ignatius, had given statements to the officials.