Northern Cheyenne Inaugurates new council

Northern Cheyenne Inaugeration Parade. (Photo courtesy Facebook)

LAME DEER – On Monday, November 18, 2024 though the weather was slightly against the celebratory Victory Parade held at 9:00 a.m., the remainder of the 2024 Inaugural festivities to swear in the newly elected Tribal President, Vice President, Tribal Judges and half of the ten-member Tribal Council went according to plan at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club attended by numerous tribal members and guests.

At Northern Cheyenne, tribal officials are elected to four-year terms, however the Tribal Council served staggered terms to provide some degree of continuity. The members seated this year included: Gene Small, President; Ernest Littlemouth Sr. Vice-President; Melissa Fisher, Ashland District; Howard Ontiveros; Muddy District; Stefan Raining Bird, Busby District; Theresa Small, Lame Deer District; Gwen Spotted Horse, Birney District and Judges, Curtis Elkshoulder Jr. and Justin David Roundstone.

Master of Ceremonies was Robert Bailey, former Busby Tribal Council member. The program included a procession of newly elected and seated Tribal Council; Opening Prayer by Michael Bearcomesout Sr., Sacred Hat Keeper; Flag Song by Ghostbull drum group; Posting of Colors, Northern Cheyenne Veterans; Honoring of outgoing Tribal President and Council; a Public Address by newly elected State House member, Jade Sooktis; Swearing in Ceremony; Youth Council Swearing in; Honor song by Ghostbull drum group; addresses by Vice-President Littlemouth and new Council members; Guest speaker Harold Frazier, former Tribal leader from South Dakota; address by new President Gene Small.

Due to the acoustics in the Boy’s and Girl’s Club gym, it was difficult to hear the speakers. However, several times, President Small’s remarks were received with applause. Small re-visited the concerns shared during his campaign: the need to improve lawlessness on the Reservation and as it affects tribal members off the Reservation; improving infrastructure including water, sewer and roads; the need to become more independent from the Federal government; fiscal accountability and a personal promise to be available to tribal members.

The event was followed by a meal and the first formal Tribal Council meeting for the new Administration.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice1@gmail.com)

The post Northern Cheyenne Inaugurates new council first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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