Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

With the full support of Wilma Mankiller and Ross Swimmer, Chad Smith candidate for chief in the upcoming Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) runoff elections, has again challenged the incumbant, Joe Byrd to discuss the finances of the CNO in an open forum. Smith readily accepted an earlier invitation from KOTV to a debate.

Byrd declined the invitation by KOTV saying he has an open dialogue with Cherokee voters and they already know where he stands on critical issues. Byrd claims the allegations made against are politically motivated.

The Byrd administration faces allegations of missuse of tribal funds. Several audits have been done, one of which stated that the books were unauditable because of lack of information. The audit done by the U.S. Interior Department uncovered federal funding that had been misused. The Byrd administration was order to pay back the federal funds and the tribe has been put on an allowence.

Chad Smith said that an open debate between he and Byrd could answer the following questions:

Why is the Cherokee Nation on a monthly allowance by the federal government?

How will the Cherokee Nation operate after losing $7 million in motor fuel funding due to the recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision?

What is the cause of the division within the tribal council and the issues causing boycotting? How would a principal chief reunify the Cherokee Nation?

How can Cherokee Nation Industries be revitalized after going from 323 jobs in 1995 to 68 jobs in 1999?

How can the principal chief provide the basis to regain pride in the Cherokee Nation government?

Smith said that the tribe was in good shape financially under both the Swimmer and Mankiller administrations, but the Byrd administrations financial reports have not shown that the tribe has been in good financial shape.

Ross Swimmer, served as Chief of the CNO from 1975 to 1985, said the tribes annual audits, done by outside firms until the Byrd administration took office, showed outstanding results.

Former Chief Wilma Mankiller said that if the handling of CNO finances by the Byrd administration is under question the issue "should be discussed in an open forum before the Cherokee people" between the two candidates.

Hastings Shade is running for Deputy Chief on the Smith/Shade ticket. The runoff elections will be held next Saturday, July 24, 1999 and will be monitored by the Carter Center of Atlanta, Georgia.