BLACKFOOT, Idaho (CBS2) — Multiple Bingham County commissioners are condemning remarks allegedly made by Sheriff Craig Rowland.
The sheriff is under investigation for allegedly pulling a gun on a youth group delivering "thankful turkeys" in Novemberat his home. According to numerous reports, Rowland made racist comments toward Native Americans in investigative documents.
“I have been doing this job for 36 years," Rowland allegedly said. "I have had drunk Indians drive down my cul-de-sac. I’ve had drunk Indians come to my door. I live just off the reservation, we have a lot of reservation people around us that are not good people.”
Several Bingham County commissioners are condemning the statements.
Whitney Manwaring
"I am deeply disappointed and saddened, both on a personal and professional level, by the disparaging remarks attributed to Sheriff Rowland about our tribal neighbors in Fort Hall," Whitney Manwaring said. "...Some of my family’s and my closest and most trusted friends are tribal members and residents of Fort Hall. I would welcome them to my home any time. I offer my inadequate but sincere apology and will continue to work to promote a better relationship with the tribe however I can."
Mark Bair
"I have read the comments in the news article attributed to the Sheriff about the Native American Community. I wholeheartedly disagree with those comments. It is my experience that Bingham County does not operate with the mindset of those comments. I truly care about the Native American Community and have witnessed great relationships develop through our interactions over the years and I will strive to keep those relationships positive and make this a community where everyone can feel safe and protected."
Jessica Lewis
"I am shocked and disappointed in the comments printed about Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Members. The Reservation and its members are, and have always been, an important part of Bingham County. The comments reflect the beliefs of one individual and in no way do I agree with or condone them. Having a positive relationship with the Tribe is extremely important to me and I hope that we will be able to repair the damage caused by these hurtful comments."
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes is calling for the sheriff to step down and offer a public apology to the Fort Hall community.
“We hope the woman and the children involved will be able to heal from this traumatic incident," said Devon Boyer, Chairman. "This incident should not have occurred but proves racism still exists. We need major relationship building between our communities.”
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