Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Cherokee Press Association
Copyright © 1998 CPA
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH -- Cherokees laid blame for the tribe’s financial and governmental woes on the council as well a the administration Wednesday.

"It’s not just Joe (Principal Chief Joe Byrd) they blame, they say it’s our fault for letting things go on “Councilor Paula Holder said after an afternoon session between more than 50 Cherokees and four of 15 tribal councilors.

Cherokees converged on the tribal complex in a peaceful rally on the first anniversary of a constitutional crisis.

One year ago, Byrd fired tribal marshals after they executed a search warrant at the complex. Evidence sized led to two charges of diverting funds against Byrd. The chief said he is innocent but he fired the tribal prosecutor before the case could go to court.

Councilors William Smoke, Bill John Baker, Harold DeMoss, Harold "Jiggs" Phillips and Holder fielded demonstrators’ questions.

Smoke, who has health problems, left before Byrd gave the word for Cherokees waiting outside in the rain to be allowed inside the complex, about 2 p.m. The group first arrived about 11 a.m., but only five elders were given permission to enter, after a wait of almost 40 minutes.

Before the larger group gained entrance Chief Elder Paul Thomas declared the complex a "private stronghold here for the Byrd administration."

Thomas gave councilors a litany of complaints centering on "wasteful practices and squandering our money on attorney fees."

Tribal records show Byrd has hired more than 27 attorneys since he took office and spent more than $2million on legal fees.

Cherokee people are to be commended for their restraint, Thomas said. He called for the administration to release public documents to councilors and tribal members.

"This is a government of secrets. This a government by and for a select few people -- not for the majority of the Cherokee Nation. And the people here are protesting that this very day", Thomas said.

"They would just like an accounting -- and by the way, where is Joe Byrd?"

Byrd had said Tuesday that he would not be at the Wednesday peace rally.

Thomas alleged Byrd wasn't adhering to a peace agreement he signed Aug. 25 with U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

Councilor Phillips agreed, saying Byrd hadn’t kept his word to instruct the district court judges to return to the tribal court house in downtown Tahlequah. DeMoss agreed.

"For two years we haven’t seen any accountability from the chief and our council members and we can’t blame them (councilors)", Thomas said. "This malfeasance in office needs to be investigated from Washington, D.C., right on down to the BIA in Muskogee. They have propped up the chief."