Political revolution continues at Northern Cheyenne

LAME DEER, Mont. – Revolutions tend to take on a life of their own. That is the case at Northern Cheyenne where the traditional Chiefs and IRA Tribal Council are standing-off. The primary issue revolves around the Tribal Council efforts to remove President Gene Small because he has engineered a forensic audit regarding some 90 million dollars of COVID-related funds granted to the Tribe under previous tribal administrations.

It is hard to keep up with developments as they seem to change from minute to minute, hour to hour. This article is rather confusing. However, since the last report, several interesting developments have occurred.

First, the Tribal Council earlier met and voted to impeach the Tribal President. President Small and Vice-President Ernest Little Mouth were both absent, conducting tribal business with COLT (Coalition of Large Tribes). The Council then appointed Howard Ontiverous, former manager of the tribal Sanitation Department as the ‘pro tem’ tribal president, something new. Quite a jump for him. That resolution was disapproved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs which exercises the final say-so on tribal matters.

As reported earlier, the traditional Chiefs and military societies after careful deliberation unanimously issued a declaration to remove eight of the ten tribal council members; the tribal secretary; tribal treasurer and another tribal employee who has assisted the Council in many questionable matters involving money.

A large contingent of tribal members, growing everyday is occupying the tribal office lawn, denied entrance to the building by the Tribal Council. This includes the stalwart group of elderly matrons: “Women with a Purpose”.

Council met again to proclaim that tribal members can no longer attend Council meetings which will only be aired on You Tube. The Council also hired a security force of 14 to protect themselves from the people and it has been alleged that all but one are felons, convicted of violent assault.

These employees were to be paid from the Tribe’s general fund, but apparently President Small has blocked that. With the advice of the Chiefs, Small also hired two tribal members for his security, paid out of his personal pocket.

Out of concern for public safety, the Council closed the Tribe down for four days. Apparently, this was more important to them than the basic needs of the most vulnerable. The Elderly Program, for example was unable to get checks processed to buy food. If not for the wonderful charity of the staff who continued working and made a run to Walmart for food, paid for by the director, the elders would not have been fed.

A protest walk of over one hundred people was held, led by President Small. He had two young people beside him and two elders in front, emphasizing the point that he is doing this for them.

On the average, about ten police, including BIA, Federal marshals and local sheriffs are also in the perimeter, ensuring the right of peaceful assembly. With police escort, the Chiefs were able to enter the building and serve the parties with their declaration. Two Council members who support the Tribal President were exempted: Tori Davies and Teresa Small who are sitting with the protesters.

Those people left the building and the protesters assumed a short-lived victory, when the BIA acknowledged the Chiefs inherent right to take such action. The next day, the BIA recanted, recognizing the existing IRA Tribal Council, which they really had to do.

Then, three Council members: Melissa Fisher; Melissa Lonebear and Howard Ontiveros were recorded on camera now widely posted on social media. It appears they entered the tribal office to retrieve paperwork (several duffle bags); took some blank tribal checks, worrisome as they are signatories; and erased computers. Do they know that information can be retrieved by computer experts? That is how they catch child porn people.

Next move: The Chiefs secured pro bono legal services from a very sharp attorney, Jennifer Wheddle, Greenbeerg, Traurig LLC., an enrolled tribal member with that prominent law firm based in Washington, D.C. That firm represents several Tribes, well versed in tribal law.

After consultation with the Chiefs, she crafted a lengthy treatise in support of the Chief’s objective. President Small personally delivered that to the BIA “soup” and the team of BIA solicitors (lawyers) are now figuring how to deal with that.

Another move: a delegation of Cheyenne will travel to Casper, Wyoming to meet with a similar delegation of the Sioux. President Small will likely stay home for self-defense. This meeting has been planned for some time, a major topic the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of the Little Big Horn; construction developments at the Battlefield and so forth.

Maybe they will also discuss the current war as IRA governments trouble all the Great Plains Tribes. The bubble coming to the top at Northern Cheyenne is also the finals of the Indian Relay season. The Cheyenne must boost our famous girl jockey who is doing so well Sharon Howling Wolf viable champion contender.

In the meantime, the Tribal Council convened the required bi-monthly meeting, aired on You Tube at an undisclosed location. People figured out it was in the basement of the BIA building. They only took roll call.

Later today, the Cheyenne will enjoy a feast provided by President Small. A whole buffalo, cooked underground, old style and all the fixings! He is doing this on a regular basis, food being the thing that glues us together.

Stay tuned. Once again, history is being made and NSNT will be on hand to record it. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

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