Tribal politics heating up at Northern Cheyenne

LAME DEER, Mont. – The last issue of Native Sun News covered the current political unrest on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation centered around Tribal Council efforts to remove President Gene Small from office. Small was elected by a majority of tribal voters in November, 2024.

One of Small’s key objectives is accountability. A key part of that, in his view, is to conduct a forensic audit regarding the use of approximately 90 million AARPA and CARES act funding the Tribe received during the COVID epidemic under Administrations. “I look around this Reservation and don’t see 90 million in improvements. Do? I am with the people on wanting to know how that money was spent,” he recently said in an address to tribal elders.

With Tribal Council approval, such an audit is now underway and according to Small the Office of Inspector General is also involved. “I think that has some Council members nervous,” Small said. “They seem to think that if I’m impeached the audit will go with me.”

On August 18, a chaotic Council meeting was held. Council representative Melissa Lone Bear, Lame Deer District introduced a motion to strip President Small of his powers, pending an “Evidentiary Hearing” for his removal. The charge, brought by the Tribal Council alleges that President Small violated the Separation of Powers clause of the Constitution by signing a leave slip for the Tribal Chief Judge and also alleged that he engaged in a conspiracy to get a tribal court employee fired. (The details of the complaint are not quite clear, not available to the tribal community). Before the motion could be brought to a vote, Small in dramatic fashion told the Council “I will not be party to this. You are violating the Tribal Constitution” and left the meeting. Vice-President Ernest Little Mouth reluctantly took over the meeting.

Both Council and Small supporters were present and before a vote could be taken, the situation quickly deteriorated to physical violence in the chambers – fistfights that is. Security and BIA Law Enforcement officers subdued the combatants and attempted to clear the building, without entire success. The violence spewed into the arctic entry way and onto the outside lawn, where more physical encounters took place. In the meantime, police were restraining a young Councilman who was “calling the opponents on.” Four people were arrested and taken to jail, but quickly bonded out. This is a very unusual at Northern Cheyenne – unheard of. Thus, the meeting was adjourned before the Council could vote to consider the resolution for removal.

President Small and legal counsel then filed in court, requesting a continuation while he gathered more evidence for his defense. The Judge granted that, and most people, including Small assumed the matter on hold for a bit.

Since then, the Tribal Council met on August 25th to enact a Resolution which prevents tribal members from attending Council meetings, unless on the Agenda. Future Council meetings will be closed to the public – private sessions which can be viewed on You-Tube where the sound quality is very bad. According to the Resolution which has been widely distributed on the Reservation, this measure is for public safety. In the meantime, the Tribal Council has hired security guards for protection.

On Monday, September 8th, the Tribal Council in special session met and voted to remove President Small who was out of town meeting with the Coalition of Large Tribes on federal budget and appropriations matters. Vice-President Little Mouth was also absent. The Council then appointed Council member, Howard Onteverous as the “Pro Tem” Tribal President, a legislative move which is not referenced in the Tribal Constitution.

Following the Removal Vote, which is being questioned by many community members and President Small himself, the Tribal

Council met again in closed-door session and closed the Tribe down until Monday, August 15th, the next scheduled session. That closure is also justified for Public Safety reasons according to the Council. That is why the Council has hired their own security force, most close relatives of the Council members. Many Cheyenne compare to the infamous “goons” under the Dick Wilson administration at Pine Ridge many years ago. These guards receive $18/hour from the Tribal General Fund. Small who was unaware of this development until the August 18 Council meeting informed the Council that as President he did not sign any paperwork authorizing such hires.

As a result, Small has also hired security guards, paid from his personal pocket.

Via Facebook, Small vowed not to step down, unless asked by the People. “You guys put me in here and you guys should be the ones to take me out if you don’t like what I’m doing,” he posted. Small has also started releasing documents related to questioned travel and other funding received by the Tribal Council from COVID funding. “Since, they don’t want to tell you, I will” he wrote. “I’ll start with Melissa Fisher” Fisher is a primary opponent pushing for his removal.

Since then, Small has been posting a number of such documents on his Facebook Page.

In the meantime, a protest camp on the lawn of the tribal building continues in support of President Small. It is primarily manned by a close-knit group of Northern Cheyenne elder woman who call themselves “Women with a Purpose.” Rose Yellowfox Backer, also Chair of the Lame Deer District is their spokesperson. “They have no ears. Fifty years of this government is enough. We‘re done with it and done with this particular Tribal Council. We will not quit until this problem is handled,” she said.

Small agrees with the sentiment. “This system is broken. It does not work for us. We need to put our heads together and figure out a better way. Follow our traditions,” he recently said. Though he doesn’t speak of it, Small is a Headsman of one of the Cheyenne Military Societies and has completed sacred vows, fasting at Bear Butte.

Many tribal members are disturbed by this turn of events. The elders are calling for reason, calm and for people to come together to prevent further violence. “We need to remember our traditional values: respect, kindness and putting the welfare of our people first,” one elder shared. “The behavior of the current Tribal Council flies against that.”

To meet deadline, this article is penned on Wednesday morning, September 10th prior to the next development which will occur on Wednesday evening and Thursday. On Wednesday evening the Chiefs and Headsmen will be fed by the elderly ladies and then meet. On Thursday, the Tribal Council plans to meet again on the Removal matter regarding the question of a majority vote. Eight yes votes are required for Removal, and there may have only been seven at the last meeting.

In response a large group of tribal members, including a significant contingent of elders and led by the Chiefs and Society Headsman plan a peaceful demonstration walk; a rally inviting tribal members to speak; and then to “take over” the Tribal Office and remove the Tribal Council members. They will also accompany Small who has returned to the Reservation from his business meeting, hoping to ensure that he gets into the building to resume his role as President.

It is difficult to predict what might occur in this face-off. Certainly, law enforcement will be on hand, but there is great potential for violent confrontation. Many tribal members are disturbed by this turn of events. The elders are calling for reason, calm and for people to come together to prevent further violence. “We need to remember our traditional values: respect, kindness and putting the welfare of our people first,” one elder shared. “The behavior of the current Tribal Council flies against that.”

NSNT will continue coverage to let readers know what transpires as the Northern Cheyenne people struggle to demand more accountability and a better Tribal government.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

The post Tribal politics heating up at Northern Cheyenne first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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