TRUTH IN FOCUS
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth
Two important statements were released today by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council, and both deserve attention because they address two of the biggest questions surrounding tribal government right now: the investigation into tribal and federal spending and the upcoming 2026 tribal election.
The first statement responds to the 38-page GableGotwals report involving allegations concerning the use of tribal and federal funds. The Tribal Council says the document should not be treated as an independent forensic audit, a final investigative report, or proof that any person committed a crime. Instead, the Council describes it as a prosecution memorandum containing financial entries, unanswered questions, circumstantial conclusions, allegations that may not have been independently verified, and proposed criminal theories.
That distinction matters. An allegation is not a conviction, and a prosecution theory is not the same thing as an independent financial audit. A financial entry by itself also does not necessarily explain why money was spent, whether an expenditure was lawful, who approved it, or whether the Tribe received the goods or services that were paid for.
Truth in Focus has tried to maintain that distinction from the beginning. Our purpose has never been to declare somebody guilty because a report, rumor, Facebook post, political faction, or government official says they are guilty. Our purpose is to examine what can be documented, ask questions when information is missing, and support transparency when public money is involved.
That is why our central question has not changed: Where did the money go?
That should not be an offensive question. It should be an answerable question. When millions of dollars in tribal and federal money are involved, tribal members should be able to see an understandable accounting showing where those funds went, what programs received them, what expenditures were made, who authorized those expenditures, and what goods or services were provided.
If the spending was proper, an independent and complete audit can help demonstrate that. If mistakes were made, an audit can identify them. If wrongdoing occurred, that should be established through evidence and the proper legal process. But accusations should not replace an audit, and political statements should not replace financial records.
Truth in Focus therefore continues to support a lawful, independent, thorough, and impartial examination of the finances involved. That is not taking sides. That is transparency.
The second major development involves the 2026 tribal election. The Tribal Council announced today that it intends to meet at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, at the Little Wolf Capitol Building. According to the Council’s statement, it plans to comply with the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court’s September 4 order and adopt resolutions establishing the schedule and procedures for the 2026 tribal elections.
The Council says the primary election will be scheduled by resolution but will take place no later than October 4, 2026. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The Council also says it intends to appoint a Voters Committee and election officials as part of that process.
That is an important development after months of conflict over governmental authority, leadership, the courts, and elections. Truth in Focus will continue following those developments and will report what can be verified as new information becomes available.
We also want to be clear about our own coverage. Truth in Focus stands behind its commitment to examining records, asking questions, and correcting information when evidence requires a correction. Comments or statements identified as the personal opinions of individual staff members or contributors are their opinions. They should not be confused with independently established facts or the official editorial position of Truth in Focus.
But asking for transparency is not an accusation. Asking where public money went is not declaring somebody guilty. Asking government officials to provide complete records is not an attack on tribal sovereignty. Accountability is part of self-government.
The Northern Cheyenne people deserve accurate information from every side of this dispute. They deserve a complete financial picture. They deserve a fair election process. They deserve government actions that can withstand questions from the people the government represents.
Until the complete financial record is available, the responsible position is neither to assume guilt nor to pretend every question has already been answered. The central question remains the same: Where did the money go?
The best answer to that question will not come from rumors, political factions, Facebook arguments, or accusations. It will come from the records.
Truth in Focus
Look at the record. Follow the facts. Ask the questions.
© 2026 Steven Bullcoming Haworth & Corry Bullcoming Haworth. All rights reserved.
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