Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Cherokee Press Association
Copyright © 1998 CPA
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH -- About 45 Cherokees demonstrated peacefully Wednesday after being denied entry to a planned meeting with tribal councilors on the first anniversary of a constitutional crisis.

Councilor Paula Holder expressed surprise that Principal Chief Joe Byrd left orders for demonstrators to be kept outside.

“These people have business at the tribe, they have scheduled a meeting with leadership,” Holder said. “Joe declined, but councilors didn’t.”

Several hours later Byrd gave instructions that tribal members could go inside the complex. He was not there but issued a press release saying he changed his mind when it became clear that “threatened violence was exaggerated.”

Byrd opponents rallied under the name of the “Cherokee Connection” and sought information on everything from finances to accountability.

On Feb. 25, 1997, tribal marshals executed a search warrant and seized evidence from the complex leading to two criminal charges against Byrd for allegedly diverting funds.

Byrd fired the marshals and ignored a tribal court order reinstating them, setting off a string of events that split the 193,000 member tribe, the second largest in America.

Byrd’s armed security guards Wednesday prevented tribal members from entering the tribal complex for several hours. Law enforcement officers from the city, county and state were on alert across the highway.

More than 21 law enforcement vehicles from the various agencies could be seen within a two-mile radius of the complex

Bureau of Indian Affairs police, who have been in charge of tribal law enforcement in the 14 counties of the Cherokee Nation since April, kept a low profile. A few were seen on duty inside the complex.

“It’s against the (tribal) law to carry guns on Cherokee Nation property”, tribal member Jack Blair told an armed security guard who ordered Cherokees away from the complex door.

Several councilors agreed, but the guns stayed on.

Five Cherokee elders were the first people allowed inside to talk to a group of councilors. The press was allowed to observe.

The elders had to undergo a search for weapons from guards with hand-held metal detectors.

Elders demanded the administration recognize the authority of the tribe’s highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal. Byrd has sanctioned what the tribunal ruled is an illegal district court at the tribal complex. Elders also wanted an accounting of how money has been spent in the past year.

Byrd blames his political enemies and says he has done nothing wrong. In a news release, he states he is convinced Wednesday’s discussions “are a first step at peace among all our people.” He also said his administration is committed to the prompt resolution of the difficulties addressed.

Pat Ragsdale, the only fired tribal marshal not offered a job back, is on paid administrative leave.

“It’s denigrating to have people stand out in the rain. People were denied their constitutional right to assemble,” Ragsdale said before Byrd had a change of heart and opened the facility

“He (Byrd) said he want to pull everybody together -- but he wants to keep us out of the complex,” said Cherokee businessman Jess Bryant. “He didn’t invite us to his press conference yesterday and denied us access to him today. He knew it was coming. He just didn’t want to meet with the people. He just doesn’t want to answer questions.”

Marion Brown Haggerstand, 76, express disgust as she waited outside -- “We’re such a dangerous group. I think it’s disgraceful.

Sioux Smith Vann, whose husband, Raymond Vann, helped organize the peace rally looked around at the crowd.

“These are mostly retired people -- mothers, children and housewives -- and we’re a threat to these people?” Sioux Vann said, “ Do you know of a government who will not permit their citizens inside their administration?”

Other Cherokees held up signs and chanted in the background:
“What do we want? Justice, “When do we want it? Now.”