Posted on 10/31/2025 1:45:41 PM PDT by DFG
A Native American tribe seized a Minnesota pilot's plane after he made an emergency landing on their land, citing a decades–old law the tribe claimed gave them control of the aircraft.
Darrin Smedsmo was flying over the Red Lake Indian Reservation when his single–engine Stinson airplane suddenly stopped working mid–air.
With less than three minutes until disaster, the experienced pilot was forced to land on a paved state road below.
Moments later, Smedsmo's plane was confiscated by tribal police, who claimed he did not have the authority to fly it over their reservation.
If he wants his plane back, he will have to suffer through a tribal trial – starting November 3.
'The land is theirs, but they are claiming the air is theirs,' Smedsmo told AIN. 'They don't control the air. That is basically untenable.'
The Roseau, Minnesota, native was traveling from his home city to Bemidji as his Stinson aircraft malfunctioned.
'Well, today was the day,' Smedsmo recalled on Facebook. '3500 [feet] and the engine made a little noise, [and] pretty soon no noise [at] all.'
'I don't know what happened, but the engine seized. I safely landed on the highway. Thankful,' he added.
A state worker who was also Smedsmo's neighbor came to his aid.
He helped remove the fallen plane from the road and called the tribal police for further help.
'Bad news,' a Red Lake officer said, apparently having spoken to tribal chief Darrell G. Seki, Sr. 'We're going to do what the chairman said.'
Smedsmo was told his plane had violated the tribe's 1978 law banning 'any airplane' from flying over Red Lake lands at less than 20,000 feet.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Not with a junk engine! Let them have it. It will just rot away.
The Choctaw seem to manage best around here but there are no real reservations, just geographic areas of influence for the various tribes in the state. My tribe, the Cherokee, are most numerous but not standout though better than the Creek and Seminole in management. I take nor ask or expect anything from the tribe but many do.
The Cherokee seem to try to do a lot to self - benefit the tribe having started a medical school and other types of boot strap programs.
The American Indian easily has a substance abuse problem and it is crippling to them. So is lack of meaningful work. A problem growing across America I fear. So many people without meaning, Being needed, usefulness or accomplishment in their lives. Collectively we have low and dwindling means for even self actualization. It will get worse as remaining jobs become ever more few and menial.
A constitutional amendment will be be necessary.
It is necessary. We are either a group of tribes with only tribal affiliations or we are a people known as Americans.
See my post 65
The “inherent sovereignty” will be the most difficult thing to overcome.
There are so many other problems this is minor.
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