The last issue of the Lake County Leader included an article about a recent book written and published by Polson City Chief of Police George Simpson titled, “Polson Chief authors book on Public Law 280 and Indian Law.”

Since the publication of his book, which is full of false information and allegations that can easily be discredited, Simpson has changed his message to readers and the public regarding the content of his book. In his foreword, Simpson writes that his book is a “scholarly work” and the result of “meticulous research” and is a “trustworthy account of events and context.”

In the article published in the Leader, Simpson now says that the views in the book are “entirely his own,” and he only interviewed people he “liked and trusted.” So much for his claim that his work is the result of “meticulous research.”

The most incredible declaration made by Simpson is his view of the effectiveness of PL 280 on the reservation. Simpson wrote the following, “Regarding PL 280 on the Flathead Reservation, residents generally view the timely availability of criminal justice services as lower than those found in non-PL 280 jurisdictions in Montana.” This ridiculous statement could only be made by someone unfamiliar with the other reservations; someone like Simpson, a recent newcomer to Montana from Florida.

Simpson’s low opinion of the effectiveness of PL 280 on the Reservation is contradicted by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. In May of 2023, in a letter to Lake County, Gianforte wrote the following: “By all accounts, the implementation of PL 280 on the Flathead Reservation has been a model of success.”

Additionally, if PL 280 is regarded as ineffective here, why are CSKT and Lake County working together on a bill in this legislative session that would provide funding for both governments for the next two years to keep PL 280 in place? If the availability of criminal justice services is not as good here as on other reservations, why have CSKT representatives publicly stated that they do not want to become an FBI reservation like other reservations in the state?

Ironically, a google search of the most dangerous cities in Montana reveals that Polson is number one on the list. The Police Chief of Polson, Montana, a critic of PL 280, cannot keep the people in his own city safe.

I’m also confused as to how Simpson’s research revealed to him that the former Kerr Dam was purchased by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 2015 from Pennsylvania Power and Light as he stated twice in his book?

Not only did Simpson have the previous owner of the dam wrong, he also wrote that the County lost $2.8 million annually in Payments in Lieu of Taxes when the facility was removed from taxation by the state. The County never received PILT payments for the dam; the last property tax bill sent to PP&L Montana in 2015 was just under one million dollars.

Simpson could have easily verified much of the information he wrote about if he had interviewed people other than, “people he liked and trusted.” Instead, he chose to write a book full of his opinions based on false information and does a huge disservice to Reservation residents.

If locals want a true and untarnished version of the Flathead Reservation and its history, I recommend Bud Cheff Sr. book, “Indian Trails and Grizzly Tales,” or the “Fabulous Flathead,” written by J. F. McAlear. Both are available on Amazon.