KBIC Judges’ Suspensions Lifted

Operations at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Court have returned to normal today. After a heated meeting yesterday morning, with a 7 to 5 vote, the Tribal Council voted to lift the suspensions of both Tribal judges, and reopen the court building. Associate Judge Violet Friisvall Ayres was ordered to lift the temporary restraining order she had issued to suspend the result of a Tribal referendum approving the purchase of the Baraga Lakeside Inn and marina. In a statement, KBIC President Donald Shalifoe said that he and Treasurer Eddy Edwards were working within their consitutional framework on behalf of the tribal council.

Shalifoe says now the KBIC will move forward on the purchase of the Baraga Lakeside Inn.