Tribes say their business is prohibited by City of Pocatello

While Mayor Blad was hosting the Unity Rally Saturday at Idaho State University, he was also able to shed some light on a recent incident with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

In a press release from the Tribes, they say they have been discriminated against due to a contract provisions with the City of Pocatello. As well as the Pocatello Solar I, LLC company at the Pocatello Airport. Which is within exterior boundaries of the Fort Hall Reservation.

The press release says “the City’s contract provisions expressly state the solar company renting land from the City’s airport shall ‘not enter into any written agreement with the Tribes’ without the City’s approval.

The Tribes say a lease on a proposed construction development within reservation boundaries, had improper provisions. Which would attempt to avoid the Tribe’s ability to regulate activities within those boundaries.

According to the press release, developers for the construction site, informed the Tribes they were unable to put anything in writing with them or else they would be in breach of their contract.

The Tribes say they hope to create a era of cooperation and acceptance where attitudes are changed. And where business interaction with the Tribes is promoted, not prohibited.

“Oh heavens no! You know, it has nothing to do with discrimination. It has everything to do with jurisdictional rights and jurisdiction in the City of Pocatello that was annexed in the 80s. And it’s been that way since. The United States Congress dited that property to the City in the 60s,” said Mayor Blad.

At the Rally Saturday, he says the Tribe’s press release is something new to him, and he will dig deeper into the matter. He also says he’s been working with the Tribes for the past 20 years, even before he was mayor, and will continue to do so.

A council member of the Tribes has been contacted for further comment, and has yet to respond.