The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council has accepted the resignation of councilman Don Garnier, who faces federal drug charges in New Mexico.

Councilman Garfield Little Dog said the resignation came Monday, the same day the council rejected a request to impeach tribal President John Steele.

Garnier was a passenger in a car that was stopped at a license and insurance checkpoint on Interstate 25 in September. Officers found more than 20 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the car.

Little Dog said he voted against accepting the resignation. "I thought we should impeach him," he said.

In response to Garnier's arrest, the tribal council passed a resolution requiring council members to take hair-follicle drug tests.

That order was controversial, but Little Dog said the tribal council rejected attempts to impeach two other council members over the dispute.

Instead, Little Dog said, the tribal council modified the drug-test resolution. Council members still must take the hair-follicle test, he said, but the results will not be made public, and council members who fail will not be forced to step down.

Contact Bill Harlan at 394-8424 or bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com