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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Allocation of tribal funds for an additional 60 days has been approved by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Tribal Council, in a meeting on Thursday, January 28.

Six CNO councilors have been boycotting meetings in order to prevent being forced to vote on a measure they feel would destroy the Judicial branch of the CNO. Council meetings can not be held unless the number of council members in attendance constitutes a quorum. The CNO Constitution requires two-thirds of the council
(10 of 15 members) to be present at meetings in order to conduct official business.

One council member said that the councilors agreed to the meeting because of worries about losing federally-allocated funds. A resolution asking a committee to determine whether or not the tribe's constitution should be amended to require attendance of meetings by all Council members, thereby prohibiting boycotts, was also adopted by the council.