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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted unanimously to open the Nation's financial records to the public during the regular July Council meeting. The landmark cemented current Cherokee Nation policy.

"In our campaign, Hastings Shade and I promised the Cherokee people access to information about how their government is being run, including our financial records and audit reports", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "Our records have been open throughout this administration but only through Council action could this policy become a law, binding on all future administrations. I commend the Council for passing a law that ensures the Cherokee people will have access to public records regardless of who they elect to office in the future."

"Anything the Council or our government does should be open to the public", said Council member Barbara Starr-Scott, who presented the bill.

The Council passed the Freedom of Information Act unanimously. The law is patterned after similar state and federal laws, but protects the privacy of individual Cherokee Nation tribal members.

In other news, the Council appropriated money to purchase 40 air conditioners for the Cherokee Nation's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The air conditioners are given to elderly tribal members or Cherokees who need them for medical purposes. The air conditioners should be ready for distribution through the LIHEAP program within two weeks.

The Council also appropriated money for dentures for tribal members and passed a law that defines the terms of office for Justices on the Cherokee Nation’s highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal. Previously, Justices served until they were replaced, and there were no limitations on re-nominations. Under the new law, Justices must leave office immediately after their six-year terms expire, and may be re-nominated only once. The law is not retroactive, according to the Council’s attorney, Todd Hembry.