Cherokee Nation Council bars non-Cherokees from top positions

Wednesday, August 15, 2012  

The Cherokee Nation Council voted 9-8 on Monday to pass a bill that requires five key positions to be filled by members of the Cherokee Nation.

The bill applies to the principal chief's general counsel, the chief of staff, the communications executive director, the government relations executive director and the CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses. Under Chief Bill John Baker, only his chief of staff is a Cherokee citizen.

“Normally we do not step on hires made by the principal chief,” council member Julia Coates said, The Cherokee Phoenix reported. “However, I believe the positions described in this legislation should be held by citizens.”

Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd Hembree said the bill was unconstitutional. Council members said they are willing to go to court over the issue.

Get the Story:
Cherokee council passes act barring nontribal members from executive posts (The Tulsa World 8/15)
Citizenship standard passed for 5 ‘key’ positions (The Cherokee Phoenix 8/14)