Despite obstacles, determination paves way for development on Montana’s reservations

Driving across Montana’s seven reservations, the lack of private industry is stark. Not may many places sell clothing or construction materials or much beyond groceries.

Banks can balk at lending to tribes or people who live on the reservation because they just don’t know how it works. Because tribes are sovereign nations and have their own laws and courts, lenders don’t know if they have the legal ability to repossess property for lack of payment, for example.

"There are a lot of unknowns that lead to staleness in lending," said Casey Lozar. "Even though we live in the state of Montana and our tribes make up 7 percent of our population, there’s a lot of really basic questions like ‘Do they have their own laws? Do they have their own court system?’ "

HOLLY MICHELS [email protected]

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/despite-obstacles-determination-paves-way-for-development-on-reservations/article_6d581371-502b-5c0e-a0fd-2e9be4f84e7f.html