The Bureau of Indian Affairs won't let the disputed leader of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma appeal a decision that could lead to her ouster.

On March 28, the BIA recognized the tribal Supreme Court, whose justices removed Gov. Janice Boswell from office. She filed an appeal with the agency in hopes of overturning the decision.

But Boswell's appeal was postmarked April 28. That's 31 days after the March 28 decision, so the BIA said she missed a 30-day deadline that's set out in federal regulations.

"The 30 day timeframe for filing a notice of appeal from the Superintendent's decision letter expired on April 27," Dan Deerinwater, the regional director for the Southern Plains Office, said in a letter dated May 11.

"Therefore, the Superintendent's decision of March 28, 2011, regarding the recognition of the Tribes' Supreme Court is effective as of April 28, 2011, and the decision is final for the [Interior] Department," Deerinwater added.

Deerinwater had previously recognized Boswell as the legitimate leader of the tribe but that decision is being reconsidered. Lt. Gov. Leslie Harjo claims to be in charge.

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