Tribal council member gets her job back

Other members of the council removed her by a 5-0 vote April 14, 1997, following charges of racism and harassment of a tribal employee. Tribal Administrator Dan Brannum, a non-Indian, filed the grievance the month before.

Loper's attorney then filed papers challenging both the council's actions and the charges. She contends that the manner in which she was removed violated the tribe's constitution and bylaws.

Loper was reinstated to the council by Associate Tribal Judge F. Woodside Wright in an order issues last month. He agreed that she did not receive due process in last year's vote and was removed without notification.

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