The relatively new leader of the
Northern Cheyenne Tribe has been ousted by the council but he is refusing to leave office.
President L. Jace Killsback says the council's October 6 vote was illegal. So he's staying in office and the
Bureua of Indian Affairs, at this point, still recognizes him as the legitimate leader of the tribe, The Billings Gazette reported.
“The agency has not received any resolution, legislation or other council action to consider that would indicate that Mr. L. Jace Killsback has been removed from office,” an
October 10 letter from the BIA to the tribal council reads. “Therefore, we will continue to conduct business with his office.”
Jace Killsback won election last November in a "landslide,"
Native Sun News Today reported at the time. He was subsequently hit with a complaint by a council member, The Gazette reported.
The complaint, though, lacked details, a
tribal court later ruled. But the court lacked the authority to stop the council from moving forward with its removal efforts, according to the paper.
“Everything they do from that point on in regards to my removal is illegal, is invalid, and they need to be held accountable for it,” Killsback told the paper.
Members of the tribal council requested a "special" meeting on Friday with Vice President Conrad Fisher, who has been acting as interim president, according to a
post on Facebook.
Read More on the Story:
After vote to remove tribal president, Northern Cheyenne government at impasse
(The Billings Gazette October 13, 2017)
Northern Cheyenne council votes to oust tribal president, who refuses to leave
(The Billings Gazette October 6, 2017)
Jace Killsback contends he is still president despite vote to remove him from office
(KULR-8 October 6, 2017)
Petition to remove Northern Cheyenne tribal president is illegal, court rules
(The Billings Gazette October 5, 2017)
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