Paul Barton has claimed he is chief of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma following a disputed vote on June 4, 2016. Photo from Facebook
The Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma is dealing with an internal leadership dispute, The Tulsa World reports. The tribe was scheduled to hold an election during a general council meeting on June 4. But Chief William Fisher called off the meeting because he said "disruptors" were creating an "increasingly hostile" environment. "Chief Fisher was forced to adjourn the meeting when the disruptors refused to come to order as requested, thereby making business impossible to conduct," a letter signed by the business committee reads.
Chief William Fisher has continued to assert control of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma following a dispute vote on June 4, 2016. Photo from Seneca-Cayuga Nation
But some members stayed behind and went ahead with the vote, creating confusion about the legitimate tribal governing body. A judge with the Court of Indian Offenses has since ordered the tribe to conduct a new election to resolve the dispute, The World reported. The judge also invalidated an attempt to disenroll Fisher and other tribal leaders, the paper said. The new election is to be held on or near July 23. Paul Barton has been claiming he was elected chief during the June 4 meeting. Chief Fisher and the prior business committee have asserted they are in charge. Get the Story:
Court orders Seneca-Cayuga tribe to redo election (The Tulsa World 6/23)
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