Cheyenne and Arapaho Calls on Department of Interior to Recognize Legitimacy of Tribal Council, Current Leaders
BIA continues to interfere in tribal matters after Tribal Council Resolution settles all intra-tribe issues
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheyenne and Arapaho representatives recently called for the Department of the Interior to formally issue a statement recognizing the legitimacy of their Tribal Council, its recent resolution settling intra-tribal disputes and the sitting Governor, Supreme Court and administrative officials.
In a letter sent to Secretary of Interior Hon. Ken Salazar this week, tribal reps stated that the Tribal Council has voted to resolve all outstanding issues and recognized Gov. Boswell and her administration as the tribe's rightful leaders. In spite of this declaration, the letter says, the BIA continues to interfere with their affairs and asks the Dept. of Interior to intercede of its behalf.
"All we are asking for is what we have been granted under the law, namely the sovereign right to determine our own affairs," said Governor Janice Prairie Chief-Boswell. "The BIA's continued interference in tribal matters has not only undermined our authority, it has wreaked havoc on our tribe by recklessly letting loose harmful factions who wish only to promote themselves instead of the interests of the tribe."
Governor Prairie Chief-Boswell's rightful authority was reaffirmed by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Council on May 7, 2011 in a vote of 151 in favor to 8 against. The U.S. District Court has also recognized the legitimacy of Prairie Chief-Boswell's governorship in its summary dismissal of an action filed by Lt. Governor Leslie Wandrie Harjo seeking to remove Prairie Chief-Bowell from office.
By reversing previous BIA decisions and reinstating a delegitimized tribal Supreme Court, bureau officials in Concho opened the door for a tribal insurrection that began earlier this year and has continued unabated since, with Lt. Governor Harjo and her rogue supporters resorting to such unscrupulous tactics as taking over tribal headquarters by force and seizing tribal mail from the post office under unlawful pretenses.
"Leslie Wandrie Harjo and her band of rebels threaten the political, social and economic stability of our tribe," said Governor Janice Prairie Chief-Boswell. "We employ too many people and have too much at stake to let this kind of malicious self-interest jeopardize our collective futures. The powers that be in Washington must act now to put an end to it."
Representatives of the tribe have asked to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Interior Ken Salazar and are still awaiting a response.
SOURCE Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma
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