Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – In an historic meeting, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council agreed to send a resolution proposing an amendment to the Cherokee Nation Constitution that would require Indian blood for citizenship in the Nation to a vote of the people.
According to several Council members, the Cherokee people have the right to decide the requirements for citizenship in their nation.
“Who should decide citizenship in the Cherokee Nation? The Cherokee people have the right to vote,” said Don Garvin, who represents Muskogee County on the Council.
Cara Cowan-Watts, of Rogers County, agreed, saying the right to decide what determines citizenship is given to the people of the tribe.
“Do you have to be Indian to be in a tribe? That’s a pretty huge question. The people have the right to vote on that question. They should be the ones who decide what determines citizenship,” she said. “The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled that tribes have the right to decide their citizenships. It’s the power of the people.”
“Every citizen of every nation around the world has the right to determine citizenship in their nation,” said Chuck Hoskin who represents Nowata and Craig counties on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. “The Cherokee people have that same right.”
The nearly unanimous vote of 13 – 2 was taken after much discussion on the issue. Tribal Council members Joe Crittenden of Adair County and Phyllis Yargee of Sequoyah County voted against letting the Cherokee people vote on the amendment. Council members Audra Smoke-Connor, Bill John Baker, Meredith Frailey, Don Garvin, Charles “Chuck” Hoskin, Bill Johnson, Johnnie Keener, Jackie Bob Martin, Linda O’Leary, Melvina Shotpouch, David Thornton, Buel Anglen and Cara Cowan-Watts all voted in favor of letting the Cherokee people vote on the amendment to the Constitution.
After the Council decided to send the issue to a vote of the people, they next had to decide when the vote would take place. The issue could be placed on the general election in June, 2007, or a special election could be held to settle the issue before the end of the year. Meredith Frailey, the newly elected Speaker of the Council, put forth a resolution calling for a special election on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
Cowan-Watts stated that a special election on such an important issue was warranted without “clouded debate” from special interest groups, saying that the people deserve a “speedy answer” on the issue.
Garvin agreed, telling the Council the citizens “are ready to vote now.”
After much debate, the measure failed in a close 7-8 vote. Baker, Smoke-Connor, Hoskin, O’Leary, Crittenden, Keener, Thornton and Yargee voted against the special election. Cowan-Watts, Frailey, Garvin, Johnson, Martin, Shotpouch and Anglen voted for the special election.
The next regularly scheduled Tribal Council meeting will be held on July 10 at the Cherokee Nation complex in Tahlequah.
Watch the Council Meeting Audio Only, Low Speed Video (56k), or High Speed Video (DSK, Cable, etc).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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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 |