Less than one week after the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council publicly refused a $111,000 donation from Montana Senator Conrad Burns, citing ethical issues stemming from Burns’ alleged involvement with indicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, leaders of the Chippewa Cree and Rocky Boy tribal council jointly criticized the decision. The Rocky Boy tribal council maintains that if it had been up to them, they would have accepted the donation, the Havre Daily News reports. Many tribal council members have issued statements in support of Burns, despite accusations that the Senator had neglected local tribes in favor of tribes elsewhere in the nation. According to Burns’ campaign chairman, Mark Baker, campaign staff will determine a charitable organization to receive the money rejected by the Montana-Wyoming council.
