Chief Bill John Baker's official Cherokee Nation vehicle at the pigeon shoot. Photo from SHARK
The leader of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is coming under fire for participating in a fundraising event for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma). The tribe's political donations are no secret but critics believe Chief Bill John Baker stepped over the line by going to a live pigeon shoot for Inhofe earlier this month. He went in his official Cherokee Nation vehicle, wore a Cherokee Nation shirt and can be seen shooting at the birds in videos posted by an animal rights group. "If the chief of our nation does something on a personal level, that is his business, but if he does something as our representative, under the title of the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, then it becomes our business," Twila Barnes, a tribal citizen, observed on her blog, Polly's Granddaughter. As a gold sponsor, the tribe donated $2,500 attend the event, which was billed as a "dove hunt." But attorney Michael Moore, another tribal citizen, described it as a "horrific slaughter."
YouTube: Principal Chief Baker at Pigeon Shoot by SHARK
"The dead and the dying birds littered the killing field, both during and after the shooting," Moore wrote in a letter to Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd Hembree. "Some were wounded and managed to escape, but will suffer until they die in the immediate future." Moore believes Baker's participation the fundraiser, which occurred during Cherokee Nation work hours, violates tribal law. He's asked Hembree to open an an investigation to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Tribal law requires "Cherokee Nation employees to obey Cherokee Nation law, while they are working in their official capacity, no matter where they are performing their work," Moore wrote in the letter. Inhofe, who is running for re-election, faced criticism of his own after SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) posted videos of the pigeon shoot online. One Oklahoma newspaper said the incumbent Republican should be "ashamed" of his conduct. "The practice of hunting for sport is not the debate here," The Muskogee Phoenix said in an editorial. "A live pigeon shoot is not hunting. And it is not sport. It is killing." Inhofe's opponent this year is Democrat Matt Silverstein, who is a member of the Choctaw Nation. The race is not competitive, according to polls compiled by RealClearPolitics.
The Cherokee Nation is listed as a "Gold Level Host" of the pigeon shoot. Photo from SHARK
"Our recent donation [to Inhofe] was $2,500," Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin told members of the Cherokee Nation Council who handle the tribe's political contributions, according to official video of a meeting on September 25. "And that got us gold sponsorship in the bird hunt?" a council member said off camera as Hoskin nods. During the meeting, council members approved a motion to donate $1,000 donation to Silverstein as well. The vote came after Hoskin, citing polls, said the executive branch didn't think a contribution would be a wise investment. "Given the dynamics of the race, a donation [to Silverstein] was not warranted," Hoskins said.
YouTube: Executive And Finance Sub Committee Meeting - PAC - 9/25/2014
Council member Cara Cowan Watts, who brought up the Silverstein donation, indicated she wasn't entirely pleased with the Baker's participation in the Inhofe event. She said it wasn't clear whether the tribe was told where the money was going. "It doesn't even sound like that's what was approved by this committee," Cowan Watts said. "I don't recall bringing up a pigeon hunt."
Matt Silvestein, a member of the Choctaw Nation, his wife and Comanche Nation Chief Wallace Coffey. Photo from Facebook
Silverstein is taking advantage of the controversy in hopes of boosting his campaign. In a post on his Facebook page, he said Inhofe's poll numbers are "nose-diving after the state has learned he kills helpless pigeons" "It has nothing to do with the 2nd Amendment, which I support, and it certainly has nothing to do with hunting, which I also support," Silverstein said. "In fact, every hunter I know expressed outrage and disgust at this event."
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), right, at live pigeon shoot. Photo from SHARK
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Cherokee Nation who is running for re-election, also attended the pigeon shoot. SHARK posted a photo and video of Mullin at the event.
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