Blaine Edmo retires from Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Council

In a letter sent to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, Fort Hall Business council and press, Chairman Blaine Edmo announced that he will be retiring from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Council effective April 17.

In the letter, Edmo expressed that it was his intent to reassume his status as a private Tribal citizen. He also explains that his reasons for retiring are to focus on his own health and the health of his family, in particular, his mother.

You can read the full letter sent to the press below:

I, Blaine Edmo, do hereby give Notice to the Fort Hall Business Council and the General membership of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, that on this date, I am giving my Formal Notice of Retirement from the Shoshone Bannock Tribal Council, and will assume my status as a private Tribal member citizen, effective this date.

After 15 years of Public Service I have decided it is time for me to step down from Tribal Government; and I do so to devote time to my own personal health concerns and my family’s well being. In particular my mother who is 87 years of age and doesn’t need to be stressing over my role in Tribal Government.

Recently there have been Social Media posts that have implied that I am not the person to hold office due to these allegations. I have long since paid all debts in full back at the time of the allegations. The allegations made against other people I cant address.

My decision to step down is motivated by my personal health Concerns and my family’s well being. I need to devote my time to make sure that my health is addressed being a diabetic and having had post Polio syndrome.

I have made this decision based upon these considerations and have made serious deliberations and have come to this decision.

I want to thank all who have supported me in the past and present. To those who feel that I have slighted them I can only say that I made decisions that I believed were in everyone’s best interest. In any event I recognize your dissatisfaction can only hope you find happiness.

I have always supported the Tribes’ jurisdiction, sovereignty, Treaty Rights and Treaty, and a strong Tribal government. And, I have supported Tribal preference in employment. Thanks, I ask people to respect everyone now and in the future. I will offer no other comments.

Respectfully, Blaine Edmo 04/17