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Native Sun News: Northern Cheyenne Tribe gathers for big meeting

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

A large group of tribal citizens gather on April 29, 2016, to discuss concerns regarding the “State of Emergency” imposed on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice

State of Emergency top topic at Northern Cheyenne assembly
Meeting runs into early morning hours
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent
www.nsweekly.com

NORTHERN CHEYENNE RESERVATION, Mont. –– A large number of Northern Cheyenne tribal citizens gathered at the Muddy District Hall on the reservation on April 29 convening a General District Assembly to discuss concerns related to actions of the tribal government. It was a long discussion that ran until 1:30 a.m.

A primary issue was the recent imposition of a “State of Emergency” on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation by the tribal council, shortly followed by a large number of new tribal laws, including a curfew (11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.), applying to all reservation residents.

At the close of the marathon meeting, Amanda White Shirt, Muddy District made a motion that the tribal council abolish the new law and order code amendments in their entirety, due to a lack of public comment or consultation before adoption, seconded by Dorothy Jackman, Birney District. That motion passed by a majority.

While some of the council members in attendance were displeased about this development, tribal council member Conrad Fisher said “This is a vote from the people and we must consider it at the council level, when we get the minutes of this session.”

“We are getting our voices back,” said Dana Eaglefeathers, Busby (White River) district chairman. “Right now, tribal leaders make decisions without our input and often our recommendations are put on hold. It is heartbreaking to realize what is going on at the tribal government level. Yet, if we stand strong together as tribal members, we can and will make a change.”

In another development, Lafe Haugen, Executive Director, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority (NCTHA), first time attendee at a district meeting, publicly told Muddy district chairman, Justin Fourhorns to come back to work as a carpenter.

“You got this all wrong,” Haugen told Fourhorns about an alleged firing due to politics.