Washington: Colville Tribal Chairman, Councilman facing petitions

Colville Tribal Chairman Michael Finley and Councilman Brian Nissan are facing recall petitions due to a $1 billion settlement they (and 40 American Indian tribes) negotiated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 


The tribes were giving 20 percent of the settlement to members; 80 percent goes to restoring tribal forests, rangelands and natural resources. Petitioners want 50%-50%. There's also a debate over whether the settlement can be taxed when distributed.