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Earlier this week we told you about the Little Shell Alliance's plans for a special election, and today, a change to the Tribal Council was made without a vote being cast, as Council member John LaSalle submitted his resignation.

John Sinclair, Little Shell Tribal President, says he knew LaSalle was unhappy in the council and he says the resignation did not come as a surprise.

Sinclair noted, "They haven't supported this council for quite sometime and we knew that but we were trying to do things legally. We could've gone out and removed him if we wanted to but we're trying to do things legally."

Here is the full text of LaSalle's letter:

(to) John Sinclair
Chairman,LittleShellTribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
905 Center St.
Havre,Mt.59401

John:
In my opinion your actions have disgraced the Tribal Council and the LittleShell Tribe and made the Tribe the laughingstock of the state and especially of the other tribes in the state. You have been running the Tribe from behind closed doors and saying the council has made these decisions, when,I for one, didn't know anything about it.

I've never seen a printed agenda,I've never seen a copy of the minutes of prior meetings,let alone be asked to approve them, and the same with any monthly Fiscal Reports.I no longer wish to bang my head against the wall in a futile attempt to help the People,nor do I wish to be tarred with the same brush you are.

Therefore, as of this day,February 3,2010, I resign my seat on the LittleShell Tribal Council.
(signed)
John H. LaSalle