BIA asks Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes to decide who's in charge

Monday, April 11, 2011  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs wants to know who is in charge of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.

Janice Prairie Chief-Boswell took office as governor in January 2010. But Leslie Harjo, who was lieutenant governor, claims to be in charge because she says Boswell was impeached late last month.

Boswell, however, claims the impeachment took place at an invalid meeting. She sent out a press release today, accusing Harjo of leading an "invasion" of tribal headquarters last week.

The dispute has the BIA wondering what's going on. "[W]hile normally it is our position that the issue of who constitutes the correct court would be a matter solely for the Tribes to decide, in this case it appears that there is a need to make a decision on this matter," superintendent Betty Tippeconnie said in a March 28 letter, The Oklahoman reported.

Get the Story:
Cheyenne-Arapaho members unsure of who is in charge (The Oklahoman 4/11)
Fight For Control Of Okla. Tribal Group Escalating (KOCO-TV 4/11)

Governor of Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes disputes impeachment (4/1)