John Cornsilk, Tahlequah (8/15/2007 6:55:57 AM)

What a pitiful crock of pure BS, I did not attend this farce: Thus as a Cherokee Elder in my 72nd year and in the Cherokee tradition my back was turned to this facade.

This pathetic excuse of a man is NOT my Chief, in fact he is not the Chief for the rank and file Cherokee he is the leader of a dictatorship for the good of an elete few and the state of Oklahoma.

And the most important reason this facade is what it is, smith was sworn to an illegal third term by fact of Constitutional law of the entity he is to lead, if only it meant anything.

Following is the article and section that makes this farce a total sham on the world and Cherokee people.

Article VII. Executive

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Principal Chief, who shall be styled "The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation". The Principal Chief shall hold office for a term of four (4) years. No person having been elected to the office of Principal Chief in two (2) consecutive elections shall be eligible to file for the office of Principal Chief in the election next following his or her second term of office.

This is just one of the many reasons this incident is a sham, maybe some other Cherokee will post more, for the Tulsa World readers.

VERDIE TRIPLETT, FORT COFFEE,OKLAHOMA (8/15/2007 8:29:47 AM)

I agree with mr. cornsilk totally.Where is the outcry from the cherokee people.If this was an american president,I think the american people would be screaming.I hear nothing from the cherokees--the cornsilks and a few others are exceptions.

Why would the cherokee people let a dictator do what he want to do.What is wrong with the BIA.I"ll be glad when congress get totally involved.Why is the media not all over this dictator.I think the media should be exposing this beast(chad smith)and help decapitate this rogue and illegal government and so call chief.

VERDIE TRIPLETT

Velma Fallingpot, Tulsa Oklahoma (8/15/2007 9:12:57 AM)

The Cherokee people have always been a very proud group of people but modern day finds the Cherokee in a Crisis due to:

Rumors swirling around Chad Smith's Cherokee blood quantum? Unknown to the public

Federal Funds being zapped with the stroke of a pen? Unknown what will happen yet

Casino Doors Closed and locked until the Treaty of 1866 is adhered to? Decision pending today.

Cherokees asking are we under the 1976 or 1999 Constitution? This leaves the Cherokees without legal leadeship? Our Judges, AG, Marshal and fragment of Legislative Council hang on one of these Constitutions!

The long standing BIA suggesting they will move out of the way for the Cherokees to continue.

The Cherokees being the second largest tribe in the U.S. and has not ONE Successful Business producing revenue for the tribe outside of the Casinos? Casinos are projected to prosper for a 5 year plan period?

Rumors swirling of a fictitious election.

Human Rights midunderstanding of violations concerning our Freedmen Brothers and Sisters.

Poverty in the Cherokee Nation runs at least 20% below the poverty level.

For a Chief to say "hostile members of Congress" is very disturbing to me.

I am proud to be a United States citizen and also have always been proud to be a Cherokee Citizen, but today, I often find doubts as to where the Cherokees will find themselves tomorrow without the support of UNCLE SAM!

A solution might be a Congressional Investigation, complete federal audits and an overseer of the PC and Administration.

Carl T, Owasso (8/15/2007 10:11:13 AM)

I could not disagree with you both more. Apparently Chief Smith is liked by a majority of Cherokee voters, as he was elected to another term. Mr. Cornsilk, as you are aware, the Constitution, which you refer to, was implemented in 2006 and prior to that there were no term limits. Laws are not retroactive. That would be like someone getting a ticket for having a car accident while talking on their cell phone and a year later the new cell phone law passes and they get thrown in jail. Your comments on the status of the Cherokee Nation are could not be further from the truth. A dictatorship is "a person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession." and a democracy is a "government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system." So, last time I looked a governmental process it looked to be called the latter. The Cherokee people voted for a Principal Chief, Deputy Chief, and 17- Council Members, clearly a democracy. The Cherokee Nation has seen tremendous growth under the leadership of Chief Smith. Over the past four years, the Cherokee Nation has grown to over 6,500 employees and many of those employees are Native American. These business enterprises serve as a funding source for the Cherokee Nation services such as housing, healthcare and education.

Robin Smith, Laguna Beach (8/15/2007 10:48:04 AM)

Chad Smith in office for his 3rd term how did that happen when the constitution clearly states two terms max? And what a nice Chief he is line vetoing a swimming pool for 17,000 for the Talaquah Boys & Girls club. Apparently it is okay to build an 8 million dollar Gym at Sequoyah High School that still has structual defects, but not a 17,000 pool for the B&GC and 5,000 of that would have covered swim camps for those who can't afford it. That makes no sense to me. Jay Hanna said the tribe is growing with economic prosperity made possible through its homespun industry. Apparently that is not true if we can't even give money to the B&GC for a swimming pool. Diabetes and obesity is running rampant in our communities programs such as swim camps should not be vetoed by Chief Smith. It is important our children have a safe fun place to go after school and during breaks it keeps them out of trouble. Alot of these kids come from poor areas and would otherwise have nowhere to go if it were not for the B&GC. Our children our are future lets not lose them to drugs, diabetes, obesity and poverity. I could not even imagine not having enough food to feed my children and how awful it would feel to put my kids to bed hungry, but everyday there are parents in the Cherokee Nation who have to do just that and that is appalling. Where is the help? Also, people want to know why the Creeks get 200 per child for back to school no income guidelines and our Cheorkee Children got nothing call your Tribal Councilor and ask why.

Mike Graham, Muldrow (8/15/2007 12:02:30 PM)

I fully support the Cherokee Nation we have today!!!

Letter to honorable representatives & senators,

Subject: Termination Bill H.R. 2824

I strongly resent our federal elected representatives actions toward the Oklahoma Cherokee Nations right to determine who can and should not be a citizen of their nation.

The federal government from it's formation years has had a government to government relationship with the Cherokee Nation and it's people. That relationship has never been based on treaties. In March of 2007, Cherokee citizens voted to reinstate an "equal standard requirement" for all persons requesting citizenship to their nation.

No where in the treaty of 1866 does it state "Granted citizenship" for people going by the name of "Freedmen." It does state (Equal rights and protection under tribal government laws). That wording would also cover a Japanese tourist back then and now, while on Cherokee Nation land. But, that wording does not make them a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Today, their are millions of Americans that have Cherokee blood heritage, they are required to prove their heritage blood relationship to a person listed on the nations roll books. The Freedmen affected by the March citizenship vote have not proven their blood heritage to a person listed on the nations roll books. Allowing them to remain a citizen under those's terms in it's self would be supporting racial bias within the nation.

Congresswoman Watson's bill leaves the false impression that the Cherokee Nation's constitutional amendment expelled all African Americans from citizenship in the Cherokee Nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Facts concerning the Cherokee Nation are that they proudly count thousands of African Americans with Cherokee heritage among its citizens. Including more than 1,500 citizens who are descendants of Freedmen who have proven Indian ancestry to the Cherokee Nation.

Citizen voting groups around the country are framing this issue as (Do as we say, not as we do) Coming from the federal government. The federal government broke all treaties made with the Cherokee Nation! To include the 1866 treaty at question covering this issue.

The federal government has no "right" to demand of the Cherokee Nation that they fully honor a treaty that the federal government broke and abandon it's self.

This bill will essentially punish the Cherokee Nation for requiring its citizens to have Indian ancestry, the same requirements enforced by more than 500 other Indian tribes in the United States.

Indian Nations in Congresswoman Watson's own state of California have recently elected to change their tribal citizenship requirements, all without fan fair or concerns coming from Congresswoman Watson.

This issue is not about race, discrimination, civil rights or racism toward others. It's all about a sovereign Indian nations right and it's citizens to determine by their laws who can be a citizen of their nation.

The U.S. government supports other world governments that restrict their citizenship, through race and blood heritage with U.S. tax dollars.

Oklahoma Cherokee Nation citizens have conducted a just and legal vote under their tribal nations sovereignty laws to reinstate their nations historic citizenship requirement laws. They did so without prejudice, fear of reprisal or harm from others. It is their request, that all concerned persons and governments honor the will of the nations citizens.

Robin Smith, Laguna Beach (8/15/2007 1:01:07 PM)

Mike Graham the Cherokee Nation is filled with poverty and all you can talk about is kicking out Freedmen. I bet you have airconditioning, running water and plenty of food to eat. Walk in the footsteps of the people that don't have those things, Walk in the footsteps of the parents who can't afford to buy shoes for their kids for the start of school. Walk in the footsteps of the kids who ask the cafeteria lady at school for an extra apple to bring home because they don't know if there will be enough food to eat later at home. Walk in the footsteps of the Elders who have to get their water from a stream or well and carry it back home. Then come back and tell me how proud you are of our leaders.

JW, (8/15/2007 2:30:30 PM)

cry me a trail of tears....guilt has been the weapon of choice for the indians for at least the last 100 years.

Mr. Smith looks like a crook to me, based on first impressions. don't give me that jibber jabber about getting soveriegnty attacked and other BS. The Cherokees have a big money making casino and more gov handouts than any non tribe joe blow could hope to get. so don't go blabbing about no shoes for kids and no food at home.

Whiteturkey, (8/15/2007 2:47:15 PM)

As an E Delaware tribal member, which also makes me adopted Cherokee...All I have to say is the Cherokee people are good people. Chad Smith and his polices are not reflective of the people themselves. He reminds me of the George Bush of Native Leadership. Wanting to hold court in privacy and does not fully disclose the truth and all the ramifications of his policies to his people. I agree with Cornsilk...

Whiteturkey, (8/15/2007 2:56:23 PM)

...and JW....you're a very lost person. I can tell your spirit is near dead. Hopefully you'll find peace before you die, because there is nothing more dishonorable than a hateful wandering soul that we squash during our ceremonies....

Jonathon, claremore (8/15/2007 3:52:28 PM)

Okay, Chief Smith why don't you pay for that swimming pool for the B&GC maybe because you lost the votes in that area? Stacey Leeds won the votes there and you since then decided to go out of your way legally and morally to line veto this pool. This money for the pool was already allocated by the Tribal Council and Chief Smith had no authority to line veto this item. It now is up to Tribal Court to decide whether Chief Smith had the right to line veto the pool. What a waste of money for our courts to have to rule on such an issue. Hmmm, wonder how the judges will rule.

boss, dis. 8 (8/15/2007 3:55:42 PM)

i am glad thast the newspaper reported this story because to the open public they dont know the real truth what is going on or should they. by all the committes there is alot more than being reported. the day will come soon that this paper reports about the u.s. gov. coming in and getting chad now that will be a good story. when the cherokees lose there medical help and free drugs and lose 200-300$per car tag then they will say why didnt i know about this. steve was right only 3per cent voted but when they lose what they have they going to start voting i bet big time. mike graham is bought and paid for by chad to say what chad cant he is a dummy for sure. go to sites read and learn ask questions you will see.

Emma, Tulsa (8/15/2007 4:55:03 PM)

Congratulations, Chad!

Another continuous term of prosperity for the Cherokee.

Steve, Oklahoma (8/15/2007 5:20:18 PM)

Chad Smith was arrested for assaulting a police officer and inciting a riot in Tahlequah, too. He has a criminal record. Look it up. He also has two wives! He told the muskogee phoenix about that and the Cherokee elders know about it too! He's a loser and a crook.

Robin Smith, Laguna Beach (8/15/2007 5:34:34 PM)

Emma did you mean to say another continous term of poverty?

Jonathon, claremore (8/15/2007 6:01:50 PM)

Emma since you are such good friends with Chad ask him to give back that money for the Talaquah B&GC swimming pool. Where did that 17,000 go for the pool it was already allocated by the Tribal Council where did it go, ask him Emma.

., . (8/15/2007 10:55:06 PM)

This Chad guy says - "I want to pass on the great Cherokee legacy to our children as it was passed on to us: To face adversity, survive, adapt, prosper and excel," he said.

Does he plan on doing that by continuing to advocate smoking , gambling, and alcohol - all bonafide addictions? Not a legacy I would want for MY kids!!

pm, (8/16/2007 7:31:21 AM)

With all of your conspiracy theories here....I am pretty sure Chad was involved in the Kennedy assasination and rides in a black helicopter.

You folks need to get past your "free handout" mentality and learn to be self sufficient. Now that would be a legacy to pass on to your children.

Redbird Band, Box 411302 Charlotte, NC 28241 (8/16/2007 11:17:56 AM)

We also support unity around our Nation, as does Principal Chief Chad Smith. It is time for those enrolled Cherokee, enrolled family members, various extended Cherokee bands, and groups to unify under Chief Smith. Enroll if you can qualify. If you can't, join an organization supporting Cherokee unity. We d

comment, los angeles (8/16/2007 11:25:33 AM)

Cherokee Nation has made positive leaps and strides over the past eight years. Congratulations and good luck for continued success.

Steve, Okllahoma (8/16/2007 12:24:08 PM)

Comment 19.. We are not waiting on a free handout. We could be self-sustaining if Crooked leaders like Chad Smith were held accountable, and then the states would leave us the hell alone. Brad Henry wants a compact on anything we do and Chad is willing to kiss his hind end to give it to him. Quik Trip stores CEO, Chad is racist towards blacks and Indians and that is a known fact. He has stores on major intersections but says close down the Indian smoke shops. He wnats a monopoly and sounds just like you. We don't get free handouts.

., . (8/16/2007 5:13:19 PM)

geez, i am sure if i looked hard enough going back 1000 years or so, i could find some indian in me. would i qualify for bennies?

John Cornsilk, Tahlequah (8/18/2007 8:05:22 AM)

Folks the Solution is so simple and it is at www cornsilks com, the watson Bill for your reading pleasure and a link to sign this petition!

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We, the undersigned, Cherokee Nation Citizens and U.S. Tax payers demand that the United States Congress immediately shut down the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), a bogus entity usurping the Cherokee Peoples Sovereign rights and snubbing their noses at the U.S Congressional authority, as mandated in the U. S. Constitution.

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We also demand, without equivocation, that the United States government, on behalf of All Native American people, protect Native American Sovereignty and stop this head-long rush into a dictatorship by the leader of CNO, Chief Chadwick Smith

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The Cherokee Nation "CAN_NOT GRANT" oversight of its constitution, laws and actions to the federal government. That authority was "TAKEN" by the United States Congress. It has been held by the United States Supreme Court that Congress has "PLENARY" or absolute authority over the commerce of tribes. This has been interpreted to mean authority over every aspect of tribe government.

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The only thing tribes can continue to do is, that which Congress has not extinguished. In 1866 the Cherokee Nation entered an agreement with the United States to reconcile itself with the Union following the civil war.

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When the Cherokee people adopted the 1976 constitution, the provisions which are now in contention and seeming to delegate to the U.S. President or his designee, oversight of the Cherokee government, is in fact NOT a delegation of oversight authority, but an acknowledgment of oversight mandated by Congress in 1898 (Curtis Act), 1906 (Five Tribes Act) and 1970 (Principal Chiefs Act)! Congressional authority is absolute.

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Congress had the power to delegate oversight before the 1976 constitution. It did it in spite of the 1839 Constitution of the Cherokee People, that had no provisions for federal oversight.

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If we can delegate to the federal government some authority to act, then we would have the opposing ability to deny the federal government its authority to act. That is something we, the weaker in the relationship, are not able to do. Chad Smith is gambling with the Cherokee Peoples sovereign right and the taxpayers money and his reign as a dictator needs to be terminated.

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For additional information about this cause, please visit:

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www jalagi org

John Cornsilk, Tahlequah (8/18/2007 8:18:11 AM)

BTW, folks Congresswoman Watson will be in Oklahoma Monday the 20th of Auguat taking comments from people on the facts of the racist Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma leaders and treatment of the people by CNO!

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TIME and PLACE:

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Tulsa 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Rudisill Regional Library

1520 North Hartford

918-596-7280

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Muskogee 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Muskogee Civic Center

425 Boston St

(918) 682-9131

> Then:

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WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Diane E. Watson will convene a press conference to discuss the Cherokee Freedmen on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 3:00 P.M. The press conference will be held in Room 419C - Oklahoma State Capitol.

Mike Dart, Stilwell, OK (8/18/2007 3:02:15 PM)

I would like to know what free handouts you all are talking about. If you are talking about the Health care..well, yes we do get that, but just barely. And more times than not, we get turned away from contract health services.

And to the man who posted all that BS about job growth and economic growth and prosperity under Chad Smith's leadership. Well, sorry bud, but Chad Smith had absolutly nothing to do with that. ALL indian tribes in Oklahoma who have casino gaming can ay the exact same thing.

There is more money coming n to the tribe now than there has ever been. But when i drive around Adair County, I can see VERY LITTLE improvement in the lives of the Cherokee people living here. So, what on earth is the money being made for, if not to help our tribal citizens? Seed corn? LOL! that cracks me up everytime I hear it. People who make posts like that are usually urban Cherokees. They have no clue what it is like living out in the sticks away from the public eye. Just fill your gas tank up one of these sunday afternoons and take a drive down here. Look me up, and I'll be glad to take you out and show you just how "prosperous" the Cherokee people are. I think you'll be surprised at what you see.