Split Blackfeet council accepts election results

KALISPELL (AP) — The two factions of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council have accepted election results that will seat five new members of the tribe's governing body.

A leader of one of the factions, state Sen. Shannon Augare, told the Flathead Beacon (http://bit.ly/1wSsxHi ) Friday the tribe needs a working government now.

The current council has been in turmoil since it split in two last October over internal divisions. That resulted employee layoffs and payments withheld for tribal employees and vendors.

On Tuesday, tribal members elected five new people to open council seats. Chairman Willie Sharp Jr., who led the other faction, was voted out in the primary elections.

The new members take office July 10. A chairman will be selected at North American Indian Days.