“The public should be wary of anyone who claims to be a tribal member offering tribal membership for a price,” said Brian Cladoosby, president of the Association of Washington Tribes and chairman of the Swinomish Tribe.

The remark was in response to a story broadcast by a Seattle-based television station recently portraying individuals claiming to be members of the Little Shell Pembina Band of Indians of North Dakota. The story also included a potential victim/local business owner, who had allegedly been offered tribal membership for $70,000, and reportedly told it would exempt him from all taxes.

”This is in no way intended to impugn the image of the Montana-based Little Shell Pembina Band,” said Cladoosby, explaining that the perpetrators who claim to be based in North Dakota may be members of a splinter faction.

“Treaty-related income, such as fishing income, is exempted by federal law. But such legitimate exemptions are certainly not available to people who might buy a slot on an out-of-state tribal membership roll. No one can buy their way into our tribes.”

“Recognized tribes are legitimate governments. The Treaty Indian Tribes located in the state are co-managers of natural resources in the Northwest, and operate with high integrity,” said Cladoosby. “Treaties are the supreme law of the land, and must be respected. The individuals who are pulling this con are not legitimate and probably should be put out of business,” he said.

“We are the original inhabitants and caretakers of this land,” said Cladoosby. “We do pay taxes and we make an important contribution to the economy and quality of life in this region,” said Cladoosby. “We are insulted by this scam, and ask the people of this state to recognize these operations for what they are… a con,” he said.