Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council passed a law that would protect Cherokee Nation employees from disciplinary action for reporting wrongdoing on the job.“The Whistleblower Act affords protection for employees against retaliation and reprisals for disclosing or refusing to participate in activities that are illegal or against policy,” said Meredith Frailey, who represents Mayes County on the Tribal Council.
“Cherokee Nation employees know they should report any illegal activities they are aware of,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “This act allows employees to do that without fear that it will cost them their jobs. Many other governments have whistleblower protection laws, and Cherokee Nation employees deserve the same kind of protection.”
In other news, the Council also passed resolutions authorizing a housing preservation grant, a tribal preservation program, a budget modification and two separate environmental resolutions.
The Council also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the construction of a cell phone tower on tribal land in Adair County and a resolution approving a permit for construction of a multi-purpose facility at Sequoyah High School.
By an eight-to-seven vote, the Council voted to approve a lease purchase agreement for specialized equipment for the Cherokee Nation landfill in Adair County.
The Council also approved an act that set out guidelines for the Cherokee Nation Port Authority and another act setting procedures for referendum petitions.
In another unanimous vote, the Council voted on procedures to replace a justice on the Cherokee Nation’s highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal (JAT), in the event a justice is recused or disqualified from a case.
“The JAT is composed of three justices, and this law provides that upon the disqualification or recusal of a justice, there is a procedure to replace that justice for only that one case to ensure a three-member tribunal,” Frailey said.
The entire Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be seen on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, www.cherokee.org.
The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for May 10, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah, Okla.
| Related contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |