Tribal council advances measure to reject pay raises for elected officials

CHEROKEE NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE VOTES DOWN PAY RAISES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEGISLATION PASSES TO FULL COUNCIL

(TAHLEQUAH, OK) - By a landslide 9-6 vote in Monday's meeting, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council rules committee passed "The No Pay Raise for Elected Officials Act of 2019" that was proposed by Councilors David Walkingstick, Shawn Crittenden, and Dick Lay to block the massive pay increases for elected officials that was proposed by the Cherokee Nation Compensation Committee.

A packed house of Cherokee citizens looked on as Walkingstick, Crittenden, and Lay were joined by fellow Councilors Mary Baker Shaw, Joe Byrd, Buel Anglen, Keith Austin, Harley Buzzard, and Mike Dobbins to defeat the proposed pay hikes. Voting in support of the pay raises were Councilors E.O. Smith, Victoria Vasquez, Canaan Duncan, Rex Jordan, Mike Shambaugh, and Deputy Chief-elect Bryan Warner, whose salary as Deputy Chief stood to be increased by 104% should the raises have gone through. Councilor Wanda Hatfield abstained from the vote and Councilor Janees Taylor was not present.

Councilor Crittenden began the discussion on the legislation by referring to constituents in his districts who have desperate needs but have been turned down for help by the Cherokee Nation due to a lack of funding. The audience roared in laughter when Councilor Mike Shambaugh defended the proposed pay raises, stating that he spoke with the head of finance for the tribe, who told him that the proposed raises would not any impact on funding for tribal services.

In a scathing argument in support of blocking the pay raises, Councilor Walkingstick pointed out a number of conflicts of interest held by members of the Cherokee Nation Compensation Committee who unanimously voted to propose the raises. Walkingstick said, "three out of the five committee members maxed out to (Principal Chief-elect) Chuck Hoskin and Bryan Warner, and one of them was the attorney for one of our sitting council members right now. I see conflicts of interest."

Following the passage of "The No Pay Raise for Elected Officials Act of 2019", Walkingstick released the following statement:

"I am thankful and relieved that the rules committee voted today to strike down the massive pay raises for the incoming administration and tribal council. Because of the advocacy of thousands of Cherokee citizens who came together to take a stand on this issue, our legislation to block the raises has gone on to the next step in the process. Tonight at 6:00 pm, the Tribal Council will meet again to discuss and vote on this legislation in the full chamber. I invite all concerned Cherokees to come to this public meeting on such an important issue and make your voices heard.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council will meet publicly at 6:00 pm on Monday, July 15th at the W. W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah to discuss and vote on the "No Pay Raise for Elected Officials Act of 2019" before the full council. Following passage by the Tribal Council, Principal Chief Bill John Baker will have the opportunity to sign or veto this legislation.

Walkingstick to introduce pay raise for Cherokee Nation employees

DAVID WALKINGSTICK TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE ACT TO RAISE SALARIES FOR CHEROKEE NATION EMPLOYEES

(TAHLEQUAH, OK) - Ahead of the July 15th Rules Committee meeting where the Cherokee Nation tribal council will vote upon a measure to block proposed massive pay raises for elected officials, District 3 Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick has announced that he will introduce legislation that would provide for a pay raise of $2,000 to $3,000 for all full- and part-time Cherokee employees.

In a statement, Walkingstick said the following:

"I am excited to announce the "Cherokee Nation Employees Pay Raise Act of 2019", which will raise salaries for Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses employees by $2,000 to $3,000. Our Cherokee employees have gone without a true pay increase for too long, and we have seen the result of this as we continue to lose some of our best workers to better-paying employers. Over the past eight years, the Cherokee Nation has lost over 140 doctors due to pay and poor working conditions, and our health systems have suffered because of this."

"The Cherokee Nation Compensation Committee has proposed massive pay raises for Cherokee Nation politicians, citing the need for better pay to recruit 'top talent'. I've visited with hundreds of Cherokee citizens since this pay hike was proposed, and nearly all of them agree that this was the wrong course of action. I am proposing Act because I believe that we have top talent in the staff of our Cherokee Nation departments and businesses, and we have not been paying them what they are worth. I hope that my fellow tribal councilors feel the same way and that they will support this modest pay increase for our great Cherokee Nation employees."

The Cherokee Nation Rules Committee will meet publicly at 11:00 am on Monday, July 15th at the W. W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah to discuss and vote on the proposed pay increases. Walkingstick will move to amend the agenda of this meeting to place "The Cherokee Nation Employee Pay Raise Act" up for consideration and a vote.

Drama: Walkingstick thrown out by Cherokee Nation Election Commission

Drama continues to build in the wild Cherokee Principle Chief election:

DAVID WALKINGSTICK STATEMENT FOLLOWING ELECTION COMMISSION DECISION TO DISQUALIFY CANDIDACY

Friday evening, the Cherokee Nation Election Commission voted to disqualify David Walkingstick as a candidate for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation as a result of a complaint filed by an employee of the Chuck Hoskin Jr. campaign. The complaint alleged that the actions of an independent expenditure supporting David Walkingstick were a violation of Cherokee Nation election law. Following their decision, the Walkingstick campaign released the following statement:

"Although we are proud Cherokee citizens, we are also United States citizens with a guaranteed right to free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution. The Cherokee Nation Election Commission's ruling to remove David Walkingstick shows either a total disregard or misunderstanding of what our First Amendment protects.

The United States Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. FEC that U.S. citizens cannot be denied the right to raise and spend money to influence an election for a candidate. The Election Commission's disqualification of Walkingstick from the Principal Chief election is in direct conflict with this ruling that remains the law of the land. The Walkingstick campaign did not coordinate with or accept contributions from Cherokees for Change LLC, and the Election Commission has no legal right to remove a candidate from the ballot as the result of another United States citizen exercising their First Amendment right to free speech.

We fully intend to take the necessary steps to right this egregious wrong and ensure that our Cherokee citizens’ right to vote is protected on June 1st and beyond."

Fmr. Cherokee Chief Chad Smith slams Hoskin, endorses Walkingstick in open letter

OPEN LETTER TO CHEROKEE PEOPLE

May 3, 2019

from Chad Corntassel Smith, Principal Chief 1999-2011

My greatest fear has been that a history book would record in a footnote, “There once was a great Cherokee Nation but it is no more.”  That footnote will be written if we are not engaged in the Nation’s government, if we don’t vote, and if we don’t pressure elected officials to hold their offices sacred and not for self-gain.

It saddens me to see the corruption that has taken over the Cherokee Nation.  Recently, I have been reviewing our history of the Trail of Tears and allotment where our ancestors suffered indescribable pain, loss of family, and betrayal.  To see what our ancestors went through, appreciate the legacy they left, and then observe today’s tribal government leaves me feeling disheartened and ashamed.

If we needed confirmation of current corruption, look at Chuck Hoskins’ intense campaign of trashy personal attacks on his opponent. That is not the way to lead the Cherokee Nation!

Today, Cherokee Nation employees fear they and their children might lose their jobs, or their businesses will lose Cherokee Nation contracts from retaliation for speaking up.  Their fear is well founded.

Since 2011, the Free/Baker/Hoskins administration has:

• Repealed nepotism laws resulting in Baker and Hoskins hiring dozens of their relatives at inflated salaries. Baker hired his brother as a lawyer paying him over $500,000 per year and hired his son as nurse who exposed 160 Cherokees to diseases by reusing needles at Hastings Hospital.
• Repealed the employee protection laws stripping Cherokee employees of rights, especially Housing Authority employees who can be fired for no reason.
• Raised $1.4 Million in campaign funds by pressuring employees and contractors to kickback as much as $5,000 contribution each.
• Changed campaign laws to permit absentee ballot harvesting (which is illegal in the United States), to not disclose where absentee ballots are sent, and to hide campaign contributions and expenditures.  Hoskins’ campaign paid his father’s company $540,000 without any specification about what it was used for.
• Used the Cherokee Nation’s resources to reward Free/Baker/Hoskins’ friends and to punish those who disagree with them.  For example, Baker gave Hoskins a $100,000 raise by coming to work for the Cherokee Nation in 2011 and Baker pays his secretary $150,000.  Free, a non-Cherokee attorney/consultant has been paid millions of dollars of Cherokee money to manage Baker and Hoskins political affairs.

When such abuse occurs, critical services for health care, education, and the elderly suffer.

We cannot turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the corruption and self-dealing of the Free/Baker/Hoskins regime’.  If we love our Nation and want to hand down an honorable government to our children, we must act now.

Vote for independent candidates: David Walkingstick for Principal Chief, Meredith Frailey for Deputy Principal Chief, Julia Coates for At-Large Council, Sean Crittenden for District 8, Ron Goff for District 6,  Cara Cowan Watts  for District 14,  Billy Flint or Wes Nofire for District 3, Ryan Sierra for District 1, and Dora Patzkowokki for District 12.  These candidates stand for carrying forward a positive and proud Cherokee legacy.

Yours,

Chad Corntassel Smith
Principal Chief 1999-2011

Walkingstick comments on mudslinging by opponents in Cherokee chief race

DAVID WALKINGSTICK STATEMENT ON SCURRILOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE BY POLITICAL OPPONENTS

Over the past week, two complaints were filed against David Walkingstick with the Cherokee Nation Election Commission by opponents of his campaign for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, including one complaint filed by a staff member of the Hoskin/Warner campaign and their affiliate group Cherokee Future LLC. On Wednesday evening, David Walkingstick released the following statement:

"The complaint filed last week by Chelsea Huber is nothing more than a desperate attempt from my opposition to drag me down politically because they fear that they cannot win this election on their own merits. Instead of running a clean election and focusing on the issues, my opponent has chosen to file a baseless complaint through Ms. Huber.

Less than a week after Ms. Huber's initial complaint, a campaign employee for Cherokee Future LLC and the Hoskin Warner campaign named Elizabeth Stroud filed yet another complaint in an attempt to continue the mudslinging.

This unethical tactic being used by my opposition only further highlights the need for positive change in our Cherokee Nation. When this administration gets desperate, they turn to fear and deceit as tactics to retain power. I will continue to run an issue-based campaign focused on positive reforms for our Cherokee people.

Our people are desperate for a leader who will address the issues that matter most, like the healthcare crisis and unequal services for Cherokees based on where they live. I am the only candidate running for Principal Chief with the vision and heart to solve these issues for our people. The scripture says that without a vision, the people will perish. I would encourage all Cherokee citizens to look deeper into these baseless allegations and ask themselves if they want a leader who will do anything to win or a leader who will continue fighting for our people."

You can follow the Walkingstick/Frailey campaign online by visiting www.VoteForStick.com or by liking “Walkingstick for Chief” on Facebook.

After allegations of bribery in Cherokee tribal election, Walkingstick calls for Feds to step in

Beginning the end of April and running through June 1st, Cherokee Nation voters will be casting ballots in the general election for Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief, and eight tribal council seats.

Candidates for Principal Chief are former Tribal Councilor Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (resigned as Secretary of State to run), Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick, and Tribal Councilor Dick Lay.

As the campaign has begun to heat up, there are apparent attempts by members of the current tribal administration to use Cherokee Nation dollars and official correspondence to influence the election and buy votes.

David Walkingstick, one of the candidates for Principal Chief, posted the following statement earlier today along with the image at the top of this post:

I'm troubled to hear the reports of highly unethical, potentially illegal behavior by an incumbent tribal councilor running for re-election at-large. Cherokee citizens have stepped forward and brought this to the attention of the Cherokee Election Commission, Attorney General, Council and Administration. Now several Cherokee Community Organizations have come forward stating that they received an official Cherokee Nation envelope in the mail, with the contents attached being inside -- a check from the Cherokee Nation for $500 signed by Principal Chief Bill John Baker and Deputy Chief Joe Crittenden, along with campaign materials and a personal note from Councilor Hatfield pleading for their support. This is highly disturbing behavior from elected members of our tribal government, and must be investigated and pursued to the fullest extent of the law.

Equally troubling is the deafening silence from the Cherokee Nation officials on this important matter, which highlights a disturbing pattern of pay to play campaign contributions, ballot harvesting and decisions made for brazen political expediency. Hatfield is one very visible example of a widespread, systemic culture that has allowed those in power to ignore ethical standards and do ‘anything to win.’

This pattern of behavior by those officials appointed in the Baker administration, which includes Chuck Hoskin Sr. as his Chief of Staff, and Chuck Hoskin Jr. as his Secretary of State, (now candidate for Principal Chief) and Todd Hembree as his Attorney General, has brought shame on our tribe. Everything rises and falls on leadership, and in a crisis such as this, it is important that we demand full ethics and accountability from our nation's leadership.

Because of the malfeasance of this administration to do what is right by our people, I am requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs to monitor this election and make a determination if the United States should recognize the result of the election for Hatfield’s and the Principal Chief and Deputy Principal Chief positions. I am requesting the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to review the alleged abuses for violation of federal law and civil rights. I am requesting Todd Hembree as Cherokee Nation Attorney General to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate theses alleged violations of law. I ask any Cherokee citizen who has experienced intimidation and threats to vote, or are concerned about their jobs if they state their choice, or have been asked to come in and ‘verify their registration,’ or have been pushed to register or given campaign materials on tribal property that they contact our legal team at (918) 486-9427.

Now is the time for Cherokee citizens to control our destiny with truth, and time to fulfill the destiny our ancestors envisioned.