Muscogee Nation in dispute over operation of tribal court system

Wednesday, January 5, 2011  

The chief and the national council of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma are feuding over the tribe's court system, The Tulsa World reports.

Last year, the council passed a resolution that dissolved the tribe's district court and replaced it with three courts. Chief A.D. Ellis vetoed the resolution but the council overrode it.

Ellis responded by suing the council in district court. He says the council lacks the authority to dissolve the district court.

The judge agreed and ruled that the resolution was unconstitutional and void. But three days later, the council passed another resolution that said it no longer recognized the authority of the judge.

"I've been trying to separate our branches of government since I took office eight years ago, and it's brought me at least 10 lawsuits," Ellis told the paper. "I don't like having to prosecute my own people, my friends, but sometimes you have to."

Get the Story:
Creek Nation chief renounces council's act to abolish court (The Tulsa World 1/5)