Regulation

Ex-Eastern Cherokee chief blasts firing from gaming agency

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Michell Hicks, the former chief for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Photo from North Carolina State University

After leading the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina for three terms, Michell Hicks planned to continue his service at the tribe's gaming commission.

But before he could start work as the executive director, he was fired by his successor. He's not happy with the decision and neither are several others whose positions were eliminated or changed by the new administration headed by Chief Patrick Lambert.

“This bloodshed right now is on your back also, because that’s what it is — bloodshed,” Hicks said at a council meeting on Tuesday, The Smoky Mountain News reported.

In addition to firing Hicks, Lambert introduced a resolution last week that removed all three members of the gaming commission. They had interviewed and hired Hicks while he was still holding the office of principal chief.

“I understand the people here today are upset about things, but as I stated earlier there’s certain things that happened in these jobs that they understand,” Lambert, who took office on October 5, said at the meeting, the paper reported. “The people elected me to make these changes.”

The council passed the resolution and the tribe has since hired at least two new gaming commissioners.

Get the Story:
Chief Lambert’s personnel changes draw debate (The Smoky Mountain News 10/14)
Former chief Hicks will no longer direct Tribal Gaming Commission (The Smoky Mountain News 10/14)
Council meets with employees dismissed by Principal Chief Lambert (The Cherokee One Feather 10/12)
New Eastern Band of Cherokee Chief Makes Major Changes (WLOS 10/9)

An Opinion:
ᎨᏗᏒᎳᏂᏩᏴᏫᎴᎢᎶᎩ: The ugly truth about tribal politics (The Smoky Mountain News 10/15)