Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — “Winter in the Blood,” the movie filmed in Havre and other parts of the Hi-Line, received good reviews at the Los Angeles Film Festival and now is headed for Missoula. After that, it will stop on the Hi-Line, probably in September. Let’s plan a big welcome when the directors and stars arrive in town.

Dart — The tribal government at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation has been having some pretty rough days recently. Both off and on the reservation, people have been critical in light of the recent indictments of folks — who live on and off the reservation — for theft and embezzlement. But it’s getting harder to understand the sense of victimization you feel coming from the leaders. They seem to be cowering. Instead, they ought to be real leaders and come forward with ideas on how to improve the situation on the reservation and to prevent further scandals. While we are at it, what is the status of Fawn Tadios? The CEO of the health clinic at the reservation has been charged with embezzlement of tribal funds. Has she been suspended? Fired? Repeated telephone calls and emails from the Havre Daily News have gone unanswered.

Laurel — Sen. Jon Tester has proposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the notorious Citizens United ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. Tester is taking some of his Hi-Line common sense to Washington. The ruling has already severely tarnished Montana’s long history of clean politics.

Dart — The Blackfeet tribal government is surely taking its time on deciding whether to prosecute state Sen. Shannon Augare, D-Browning. Sheriff's deputies stopped Augare a couple of weeks ago after they spotted him driving erratically on U.S, Highway 2. Deputies can’t do anything because it is on tribal lands, so they handed over the information to tribal police. Do you think tribal police are under any pressure from Augare, who is also on the tribal council? Fortunately, the FBI has taken over the case.

Laurel — The LaSalle family at Rocky Boy has won the 2013-14 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award. That’s the first time Native Americans have won the award and the first time in a long time that a Hi-Liner has won. Congratulations. We are especially impressed with the great work the family has done to ensure that water headed into Beaver Creek Park is pristine so people can enjoy the park. The LaSalles are great citizens. Now they move on to regional and then national competition. The Hi-Line is behind them.