United Keetoowah Band Press Releases

Keetoowah Cherokees Receive Favorable Ruling on Casino

2006-02-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Tahlequah, Okla. -- United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Ronald A. White, has issued a ruling in the case involving the Keetoowah Casino which is favorable to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. The ruling specifically remands the case to the National Indian Gaming Commission, criticizing the NIGC for the way it makes its Indian land determinations. For several years the NIGC accepted fees from the Keetoowah Casino, approved its gaming ordinances and conducted site visits, all as regulatory actions before making an about-face in late 2000.

“This is a very complex issue. It's just gotten enormously more complex with Friday's ruling,” said Jim McMillin of McAfee & Taft, the Oklahoma City firm which represents the tribe.

The action originated in state court and was transferred to federal court by the state represented by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office. The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District then became involved once the Department of Interior and the National Indian Gaming Commission were made parties to the suit. An injunction was originally granted in state court which remained as the case was transferred. Both state and federal officials attempted to lift the injunction and that effort was overruled in June of 2005.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the ruling and commend Judge White on his ruling. The judge has been fair and has really looked at the issues from all sides.” said Keetoowah Chief George Wickliffe. “This means we will continue to offer services to our members, assistance and education allowances, and provide support for the tribal programs.”

Making no effort in the past to hide their opposition to the Keetoowahs, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma attempted to weigh in on the case without becoming a party by filing friend of the court briefs. However, while acknowledging that CNO did address important issues, the Court chastised them stating, “While the court generally welcomes helpful analyses from friends of the court; any analysis that completely disregards pertinent facts is not helpful. Indeed, the Cherokee Nation's first brief came dangerously close to affirmatively misrepresenting the law”.

“We are a major employer in this area and the economic impact of both our gaming operation and the tribe is significant. The casino stays open and we all are winners,” stated Assistant Chief and Gaming Board Chairman, Charles Locust.

Keetoowah Cherokee Get Grant for Elderly Community Center

2006-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

Chief George Wickliffe of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma signed a letter of Acceptance for an Indian Community Development Block Grant on Monday. The $800,000 grant will fund the construction of a Keetoowah Cherokee Elderly Community Center.

The site for the community center is located on the 80 acre tract purchased by the tribe in 2000 and is part of the Master Plan designed for this area. The area is already home to the UKB Community Services Center, the UKB Wellness Center, and the soon-to-be-completed Henry Doublehead Child Care Center. The tribe is currently waiting to hear a decision from the BIA to take the land into trust.

“The United Keetoowah Band strives to address the needs of our elderly and feel the need for a center has been long overdue. We now have an Elders nutrition site located in the Community Services building. Activities can now be expanded with a new center rather than limiting the current site to nutrition meals, such as adding activities like a monthly dance and occasional bingo. The center will allow a satellite site for meals for the qualified tribal elderly in the area and in the future will be greatly beneficial as the tribe is currently working on a project for elderly housing to be built around the center. This brings us to the current need for a center allowing for the need to grow and expand meeting the needs of this growing population. The UKB has established an Elders committee and will involve this committee ensuring the senior participants will continue to have a voice in governance of the center,” said Chief Wickliffe.

The center will provide a wide range of services including counseling, recreation, educational activities, legal information, preventive medical education, social, and intergenerational activities.

Seven UKB Lighthorse Security Officers get CLEET Certification

2006-01-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

Tahlequah, Okla. -- Seven United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma Lighthorse Security Officers graduated from the CLEET Reserve Academy on Friday, January 13, 2006. UKB employees graduating from the program include Christina Bennett, Jonathan Cooper, Mark Doublehead, Travis Foreman, Audrey Howard, Chris Thompson, and Raymond Wickson. Other graduates included Robert Bacon, Jr., Charles Cole, Donald Coy, Ryan Daughtery, Don Eubanks, Robert Fine, Jeremy Hitchcock, Jason Holsey, Jaime Heimbach, Alexander Khranov, Ray Knight, April Lane, Shirley Lane, Monte Phillips, Timothy Turner, Shelly Tucker, and Angela Wilson. The instructors for the program were Mike Rowsey, Jason Chennault, and Clint Johnson.

CLEET is an acronym for Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. Established in 1963, the Council supports Oklahoma law enforcement in serving its communities, including enhancing public safety by providing education and training which promotes professionalism and enhances competency within the ranks of Oklahoma law enforcement. The mission of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) is to:

· Enhance public safety by providing education and training which promotes professionalism and enhances competency within the ranks of Oklahoma law enforcement; manage and regulate the licensing and training of private security.

· The enabling legislation for the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET or Council) is found in 70 O.S., Section 3311. In layman's terms, the principal mandates of this legislation are for the Council to:

· Provide for basic peace officer certification, by establishing and conducting 326 hour basic academies for all full-time peace officers employed by city, county, or state entities of government, with the exception of the four approved academy city/agencies.

· Ensure, through CLEET's continuing education program that all full-time, certified peace officers employed by city, county, or state entities of government; (approximately 8,800 officers) have access to sixteen hours of annual continuing education.

· Ensure that the four CLEET approved academy city/agency basic academies meet those minimum standards set by state statute and the Council.

· Provide for basic reserve officer certification for all part-time peace officers employed by city, county, or state entities of government, by providing the curriculum, setting minimum standards, and by administrative oversight.

· License those persons employed by the private security industry in Oklahoma and, by administrative oversight, ensure that students and private security trainers meet those minimum training standards set by the Council.

The course was comprehensive and the classes began with an orientation and introduction to law enforcement, followed by ten hours of instruction on report writing, which included a two hour practicum. Forty hours of the program was devoted to legal issues that included weapons law, civil liability and process, major crimes, laws of arrest, use of force, search warrants, and rules of evidence. In addition this section also covered aspects of juvenile law, and narcotics and liquor laws.

Over 26 hours of the course was devoted to firearms training which included handgun and firearms safety, basic shooting fundamentals, presentation of handguns, and handgun and shotgun handling skills. The class went to a firing range and spent 16 hours in range qualification exercises.

There were 20 hours of the course dealing with custody and control, 16 hours of instruction on traffic, 18 hours on patrol including vehicle pullover, high and low risk traffic stops, and searching and transporting prisoners. Over twenty hours were spent learning about criminal investigation, and ten hours covering human relations and communications. Graduates and their families attended a dinner, followed by a recognition ceremony, which was held at the Tahlequah Community Building.

Photo cut line: UKB Lighthorse Security Director Mac Martin congratulates UKB Lighthorse and Gaming Security personnel as they complete CLEET training. (l to r) first row: Martin, Christina Bennett, Raymond Wickson, Audrey Howard, and Jonathan Cooper. Back row: Chris Thompson, Mark Doublehead, and Travis Foreman.

UKB Hosts Small Tribes Coalition Luncheon at NCAI

2005-11-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Chief George Wickliffe (right) Canadian District Council representative Eddie Sacks ( left) lunched with Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Sioux) at the Small Tribes Coalition Luncheon held during by the NCAI conference in Tulsa.

UKB to host Family Technology Nights in November

2005-11-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

The UKB has been approved for a technology grant from the Career Communications Group, Baltimore, Maryland, a national public awareness journey focused on helping families succeed by introducing them to technologies that can open the door to a better future. The Journey kicks off every November during National American Indian Heritage month.
Career Communications Group, Inc., with the generous support of the Native American Family Technology Journey’s national corporate founding sponsor, IBM Corporation, is presenting this second annual journey, to help Native American families, businesses, and community organizations address the urgent issues of technological literacy and access to high-technology skills.
The UKB project will include providing four nights of technology training for families from 6 to 8 pm. on Mondays, during the month of November at the UKB Community Services Building. Training will include basic e-mail set-up; internet research; and will be able to teach how to set up a web page for entrepreneurs. For more information on the class, please call (918) 456-8698.

UKB One of Two Tribes in the Region Awarded Water Monitoring Project Grant

2005-11-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

A major milestone has been achieved by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma’s Environmental Department. The Environmental Department submitted a grant proposal to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region VI, under the Clean Water Act Section 104(b)3. These grants are project grants, and have funded previous studies on the Saline Creek Watershed in Delaware County.

“We are very happy to report that the Keetoowah Cherokees water monitoring project was one of two tribal programs in the region that was funded for the fiscal year 2006,” said Brandi Ross, UKB Environment Program Director.

The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in November 2005, and is will be completed in September 2006. Environmental Technician Summer King and Water Resources Technician William Christie will conduct monitoring activities at four sites once a month on Saline Creek. They will monitor for temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, stream flow, and fecal coli form (bacteria) levels monthly.

In addition, every three months King and Christie will collect water samples to test for mercury, lead and zinc levels that could be harmful to tribal members. Mercury can accumulate in fish tissues, and people that eat the fish are then exposed to mercury. Mercury is the result of the burning of fossil fuels, such as at a power plant, while lead and zinc are draining from the Tar Creek Superfund site in Ottawa County. Fecal coli-form bacteria can cause stomach ailments, flu like sicknesses, and even death in high concentrations.

These samples will be hand delivered to a certified laboratory in Tulsa for analysis, and the results distributed to the UKB Tribal Council. Sampling activities on Saline Creek have already had positive impacts in the Kenwood area.

In January 2005, fecal coli form results were at dangerously high levels during a flooding event. The Environmental Department reported these results to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and they issued a warning to the Kenwood sewage lift station. The UKB Environmental Department is here to protect the health and wellbeing of not only the watershed, but also the people and wildlife that utilize the water everyday. For more information, call (918) 453-2823

UKB Names Still Director of Culture, History and Language

2005-11-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is dedicated in preserving the language and culture of the Keetoowah Cherokee People. Some say over fifty percent and possibly up to 80 percent of United Keetoowah Band members speak Keetoowah Cherokee, the Mother Tongue of the Kituwah People. And it is a priority to the tribe to keep those numbers high. Chief Wickliffe and his dedicated staff are committed to preserving the language and teaching our children this important part of our culture.
The UKB Department of Education and UKB Language, History and Culture Program is currently offering nine classes in local communities. (for a complete schedule, see page six.). The Education team is made up of Education Director Mary Nordwall, consultant and grant writer James Limore, and the UKB Director of Language, History and Culture, Sammy Still.
Still attended Bacone Junior College and graduated with a an Associates Degree in Art and Graduated from NSU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Print Management. Still has worked as a photographer, graphic specialist for the tribal newspaper and as a language and cultural specialist for CNO for 23 years. He is the former Chairman of the Youth and Culture Camp Association, Former Chairman for the CNO Living Treasures committee, Acting Vice Chairman for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and Acting Chairman of the Language and Culture Committee.
Still said, “My love for the traditional Cherokee youth and elders is what brought me to work for the Keetoowah Cherokee tribe. Photographing and working in the Cherokee communities, I have come to know and love the traditional Keetoowah Cherokee elders. I love to listen to them as they tell their stories and share their history with me. This has brought me closer to my language, culture, and heritage. I look forward to working with the United Keetoowah Band, serving Keetoowah youth in local and surrounding area schools and communities as well as serving the Keetoowah Cherokee Elders.
Still is married to Dama Still and has two daughters Tiffany and Tonya Russell. He also is the proud grandpa of two granddaughters.

Instructors currently working with the tribe in the language program include: Sharon Adair, Archie Buzzard, Sequoyah Guess, Genice Honowa, Former UKB Chief Jim Henson, Ryan Mackey, D. J. McCarter, Hastings Shade, George Stopp, and Sandra Turner. As his schedule permits, Chief Wickliffe will also be teaching the Keetoowah Cherokee Language.
Languages belong to particular cultures, and certain ideas of a culture can only be expressed fully and properly in the language that is the basis of that culture. This means that the language becomes far more important, at least in the minds of its speakers, than just mere sounds and ideas. It defines the people in a very real sense.
Language is the basis for any cultural identity. This is so for people everywhere. For this reason, it is important that people keep their own language alive.

Our generation is giving a gift to the future generations. The UKB has assembled some of the best traditional Keetoowah Cherokee language instructors available, and is offering classes, developing curriculum, materials, and everyday items in our Mother Tongue.
For more information, call the UKB Language, History, and Culture Department at 918-456-8698.

Mary Nordwall Named Education Director

2005-11-22T14:29:00.000-08:00

I was born and raised in Tahlequah, OK. My family name is Glory. I am married and have two sons. My husband, a Pawnee, is a graduate of Harvard University and is a Developer. My sons, Eric and Sean are alums from the University of California at Berkeley and now work with their father. My grandparents were Mary and Joe Glory. My mother is Anna Glory Rooster. She is the sister to the late Keetoowah Chief, William C. Glory. My roots are here in Tahlequah with the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB). I have five siblings who have been my mentors along with my mother and grandmother. My siblings are in various professions and live both here in Tahlequah and in New Mexico.
I have been schooled in the Tahlequah and Muskogee Public Schools. I was encouraged by my mother and grandmother to ask questions and learn as much as I could. My grandmother attended the old Cherokee female Seminary and was a school teacher. My mother attended Sequoyah Boarding School and graduated in 1935. She could only speak Cherokee when she entered in the first grade but enjoyed her education there and graduated early as the Class Valedictorian. She loved reading so much that she earned a four year scholarship to OU in English Literature. She always, told me, “I have traveled the world through my books.” She is a senior citizen now but is still an avid reader and can discuss topics on economic development, social issues, world politics, music and educations, etc.
My background is similar to hers. I have always enjoyed learning. I find that I learn something new everyday from the community. My Masters degree is in Administration and Education. As a professional with the University of Colorado at Boulder, I have also completed post-master’s coursework at the doctoral level.
I am now back in my home community, offering my expertise as the Director of Education with the UKB. My focus will be to offer assistance through the public schools systems in various ways. First, we will be providing nine teacher aides to the districts with the highest population of UKB students. I am currently coordinating this effort through the Superintendent’s offices within the 14 county school districts. We are also offering language, culture and history through our Cultural Department. We will also be providing future programming with the assistance of our educational grant writing consultant. We will continue to work with the public schools, vo-tech and colleges by providing financial assistance for our students. I have an open-door policy and I am committed to serving the UKB students in the surrounding communities in meeting their educational goals.
My philosophy concerning students is: “Students are resilient and will learn in spite of what they are taught.” I have always told students that if you do the research, you will find that even Einstein flailed math at one point in his lifetime and the famous band leader, Glenn Miller failed music in his studies at the University of Colorado. Something called resilience happens when we are young sometimes after college or later on in life. A light bulb goes on and ideas and brilliance begins. Each person will reach that point in their own time. I believe educators are here to guide us in the right direction. I have seen this resilience, throughout my years of experience. Therefore, this is why I am a strong supporter of education and learning. I believe we all create our own paths and that we are all fortunate to meet “special” people along the way to help us get to where we are going.

Keetoowah Assistant Chief Locust Named to NCAI Board

2005-11-22T14:26:00.000-08:00

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma’s Assistant Chief Charles Locust will be involved in issues concerning Indian Country on a national level in the next two years, as he was recently elected to serve as the National Congress of American Indians Eastern Oklahoma area vice president alternate.

The National Congress for the American Indian is the largest organization of American Indian tribes, representing 250 member tribes. The organization monitors and lobbies for legislation affecting Indian tribes across the nation. Since 1944, the National Congress of American Indians has been working to inform the public and Congress on the governmental rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

As NCAI Eastern Oklahoma area vice president alternate, Locust will attend all meetings of the NCAI Board of Directors, as well as working on assigned committees, projects and issues. Locust will also work in conjunction with the Eastern Oklahoma vice president Joe Grayson at the Eastern Oklahoma Caucuses and initiatives.

Locust has a broad range of experiences and qualifications that he brings with him to perform the duties of a NCAI board member. In addition to serving as Assistant Chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, Locust has also served in other tribal positions for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. In those instances, he served as Executive Director for Tribal Operations, Executive Director for Housing Authority, Director of Gaming, Program Accountant, Gaming Commission Chairman and in the private sector as President of the Gaming Division for Rocket Gaming. He has a Bachelors degree in Social Science, with an emphasis in Business Administration and has (12) hours toward a Masters in Business Administration..

Locust is very active in Keetoowah Cherokee traditional ceremonies and has learned from the elders, so this will be a driving force in his decision making process. “When we consider the budget cutbacks for Native American programs, I will represent the grass roots people and their needs. These basic needs center around education, health care and jobs. These are the same needs for the small tribes as well as the large tribes,” said Locust.

“I am aware of the need for resources to continue the development of the Native American Embassy in Washington D.C. and I feel this can be accomplished with everyone working as a team. I am very enthused and excited about serving as Eastern Oklahoma area vice president alternate,” Locust said.

Keetoowah Chiefs Meet in Unity

2005-11-22T14:25:00.001-08:00

Tahlequah, Okla. -- United Keetoowah Band’s Chief George Wickliffe and Assistant Chief Charles Locust held a prayer breakfast meeting hosting UKB former chiefs and leaders. Attending were Former Chief Jim Henson, Former Chief John Hair, Former Chief Dallas Proctor, and Flint District Tribal Councilor Woodrow Proctor. Former Chief Jim Henson led the men in prayer and in a song of prayer.

The Keetoowah leadership, past and present met in a demonstration of unity and support for the future of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Although many of the men present has run in opposition of other individuals present, they all came together on Friday. “If you’re heart is in the right place, you’ll work toward resolution on any issue,” said Assistant Chief Locust.

“There’s a unity that exists among the traditional Cherokee, that supercedes tribal politics and affiliation. We are all Cherokee, and the traditional people stand together,” said Chief George Wickliffe.

The breakfast was the perfect inaugural event to begin festivities that will culminate on the first weekend in October as the 55th Annual Keetoowah Celebration. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Honoring our Elders, our Ancestors and our Leaders”. The three former chiefs, Hair, Henson and Proctor will serve as parade marshals for the festival.

Keetoowah Gospel Singing August 20

2005-11-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

The final singing of the UKB summer gospel singings is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, at the UKB Wellness Center located off West Willis Rd. This singing will be an open singing. All gospel groups are welcome to perform. If all groups have not performed by 10 p.m., the singing will be extended. The singings will be hosted by the Melody Aires.

The next two UKB gospel singings will be held during the 55th Annual Keetoowah Celebration on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 from 6 to 10 p.m.. The singings will be held at the Keetoowah Activity Park located off West Willis Rd. For more information, contact Liz Littledave at (918) 456-5126.

Keetoowahs Respond to Chad Smith's Attempted Relinquishment

2005-11-22T14:23:00.001-08:00

Chadwick Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nationof Oklahoma, has attempted to relinquish hismembership from the United Keetoowah Band of CherokeeIndians. He is scheduled to appear before the UKBcouncil Saturday, September 3, for a banishmenthearing.
Smith has claimed to be a dual enrollee in bothfederally recognized tribes since the 1970's. The UKBpassed a resolution in 1990 disallowing dualenrollment, pursuant to BIA directives.
"The traditional people are glad we made the move topursue banishment of an individual who has threatened the daily existence of our tribe," stated UKB ChiefGeorge Wickliffe. "Although the codes were passed providing for a banishment process, it is not one wewould like to use. However, we are prepared to do soin a valid case such as Mr. Smith's."
The banishment of Smith was first officially discussedin a letter dated May 12,2000, under a previousadministration, tribal councilors and attorneysrecommended that "in view of Chief Smith's openhostility toward the UKB, the UKB should immediatelyreview his actions and determine whether they areactionable under UKB law."
Assistant Chief Charles Locust advised “Just as theCherokee Nation of Oklahoma requires certainrelinquishment procedures, the UKB Relinquishmentprocedures require a signature on an officialrelinquishment form. Should Chad Smith not come intothe UKB Enrollment Offices by noon on Friday,September 2, 2005, banishment proceedings at the UKBregularly scheduled Tribal Council Meeting onSaturday, September 3, 2005, as planned.” Locust notedthat the intent to relinquish was addressed as aletter to UKB Chief George Wickliffe not UKBenrollment nor was it sent by certified as hisprevious request for a time change, and thereforeSmith's was not an official communication.
Former Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Deputy ChiefHastings Shade stated, “Smith made comments early intoour term that Smith would like to see the UKB shutdown and vowed that he would do so.” Shade served asSmith's Deputy Chief during Smith's first term.
In Smith's letter dated August 30, 2005 to ChiefWickliffe he accused the UKB of suing to take awayCNO's Arkansas Riverbed settlement. The ArkansasRiverbed Case now being pursued by UKB is a separateaction provided to the UKB by the United StatesCongress at the same time that Congress appropriatedfunds for the CNO Settlement. None of Cherokee Nationof Oklahoma's Riverbed Settlement is subject to beingre-distributed to the UKB.
Wickliffe went on to say, “Contrary to Smith's letter,UKB's lawsuit with the State of Oklahoma, is beingpursued by the Oklahoma Attorney General and does notseek to legitimize but instead to recognize thelegality of the UKB Gaming Operation. Furthermore, theUKB's Trust Application has no legal prohibition andno consent from Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma isrequired.”
UKB Officials say that the Principal Chief of theCherokee Nation of Oklahoma no longer has todemonstrate a double standard when he requiresemployees and program applicants to be an exclusivemember of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

Cherokee Homecoming Art Show is Now Accepting Artist Applications

2005-11-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

The Cherokee Heritage Center is pleased to announce a call for entries to the Tenth Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale. The show offers $5,000 in prize money. Participation in this show is limited to artists who have membership ina federally recognized Cherokee tribe (Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band, or Eastern Band of Cherokees).
"The Cherokee National Historical Society mission is to promote Cherokee cultural," said Mickel Yantz, Cherokee National Museum curator. "This is our way of supporting the Cherokee artists and assuring buyers they are receiving authentic Cherokee artwork in regulations with the federal Indian Arts Act."
The art show categories are divided into two divisions, Traditional and Contemporary. Traditional is used to describe arts performed prior to European contact.
Divisions and categories for the show include: Traditional Division - 1. Traditional Basketry, 2. Jewelry and Beading, 3. Traditional Pottery, 4. Traditional Arts; Contemporary Division - 5. Visual Arts (Painting and Graphics), 6. Contemporary Sculpture, 7. Contemporary Pottery, 8. Contemporary Basketry and 9. Textiles.
The Tenth Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show opens to the public October 8, 2005 at 10:00 a.m., followed by an awards presentation at noon to recognize all participating artists. The show will be on display through November 14.
"We have art buyers and scholars who travel from around the country tosee and buy the artwork in our show," said Yantz. "Last year we had reviews in national publications that gave wonderful press to the local artists."
The Cherokee Heritage Center must receive all artwork by 2 p.m., Sept.24. For more information or a registration package, call (918) 456-6007or e-mail Yantz at exhibits@cherokeehertiage.org.

UKB begins banishment process against Cherokee Chief

2005-11-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

The United Keetoowah Band Council adopted a tribal membership banishment code Saturday, and then proceeded to use it on Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith.
Last month, UKB councilors discussed kicking Smith out of the UKB, but no provisions existed in their legal code to allow such an action.
Smith, along with Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Joe Grayson, are dual members of the Cherokee Nation and the UKB. The Cherokee Nation has no ban on dual enrollment, but the UKB prohibits dual enrollees from receiving benefits or taking part in tribal government.
Once the council had banishment provisions at Saturday's meeting, Sequoyah District Representative Barry Dotson made a motion to add the banishment of Smith to the meeting agenda. Then, Flint District Representative Woodrow Proctor made a motion to banish Smith from the UKB for causing hardships to the tribe, attacking the UKB constitution, and - as worded in the tribe's new banishment code - "grievous conduct."
Under Smith's leadership, the Cherokee Nation recently opposed efforts by the UKB to have Keetoowah land put in trust by the Cherokee County Commissioners. The Cherokee Nation also contends that the UKB casino in Tahlequah is operating illegally, because it isn't located on trust land as required by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The UKB has no trust land, but is currently involved in a lawsuit with the state of Oklahoma to prevent the state from shutting the tribe's casino down. The UKB contends the land where their casino is located is a dependent Indian community, and therefore exempt from state jurisdiction.
UKB attorney Ken Belmard suggested that - even though the banishment code may have been inspired by Smith's actions - the council use it consistently, and only in accordance with the provisions set forth in the code.
"When you start taking action under this code, you'll have to treat everyone similarly situated the same way," he said.
Under the new banishment provisions, Smith will be notified of the council's attempt to banish him, and will be entitled to a hearing on the matter before the council.

Reprinted by permission of Tahlequah Daily Press
By Eddie Glenn, Press Staff Writer

UKB Sets Hearing Date for Banishment of Smith

2005-11-22T14:15:00.000-08:00

Tahlequah , OK, August 19, 2005 - The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB) confirmed that Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Principal Chief Chad Smith was officially served papers this morning regarding banishment proceedings.
Earlier this week, local media reported the tribe initiated the process during their council meeting on August 13. Smith has been dually enrolled in both the UKB and CNO since 1980.
The “Notice of Banishment Proceedings,” which was accompanied by a letter stating “Grounds for Permanent Banishment Proceedings,” states that Smith will have 10 days from the date of the notice “before the UKB Council conducts a Banishment Hearing on the merits.” The notice also provided Smith with the date of the set hearing, which is September 3 rd, 2005, at 10 a.m.
The grounds for the UKB council’s determination to begin Permanent Banishment Proceedings were stated to Smith as:
Attempting to weaken or destroy the principles on which the UKB was founded.
Attempting to deprive the UKB membership of the rights and benefits entitled to them by act(s) of the U.S. Congress.
Attempting to attack or weaken the UKB status as a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe.

Smith personally received the papers at his office in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma complex by a private process server.