By Steven Bullcoming Haworth, MPA, BS
Truth in Focus | September 15, 2026
For nearly a year, the Northern Cheyenne Nation has been dealing with an extraordinary dispute over tribal government, constitutional authority, traditional leadership and who has the lawful authority to conduct the business of the Nation.
Truth in Focus was in Lame Deer today. In conversations with community members, a common concern was not simply who is on which political side. People want to know what happens next.
When are Tribal Council meetings being held? Where are they being held? How can tribal members know when meetings are taking place? Where does the budget stand? What funding is available? What programs are waiting for council action? And how does the Nation move forward while legal and political disagreements continue?
Those are practical questions that affect families.
According to Montana Free Press, a Northern Cheyenne tribal judge ruled on August 18 that the 2025 Chiefs’ Declaration removing eight elected council members was unlawful and that the special election held to replace them was invalid. The court ordered that the eight council members be allowed to resume access to council offices and government resources. (Montana Free Press)
According to Buffalo’s Fire, the dispute has involved the Tribal Court, Appellate Court, Traditional Chiefs, elected officials and the Bureau of Indian Affairs over the course of the past year. The underlying dispute has included the question of how traditional authority interacts with authority exercised under the Northern Cheyenne Constitution. Buffalo’s Fire also reported that Traditional Chiefs filed an appeal and requested a stay following the August 18 Trial Court order. (Buffalo’s Fire)
This is also why questions about elections matter. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe has a published Election Ordinance establishing procedures governing tribal elections. Truth in Focus has seen references locally to another election, but we are still verifying exactly what has been formally authorized, under what authority, and what the timetable is before reporting those details as settled fact. (Cheyenne Nation)
There is also unfinished business surrounding accountability and tribal finances. Those questions have been part of this dispute from the beginning.
According to Q2 News, Tribal President Gene Small said in September 2025 that his effort to obtain an audit concerned about $94 million in federal money. That is Small’s stated figure, and the financial questions, competing allegations and documentation behind them deserve careful examination rather than accusations from either side. (Q2 News (KTVQ))
Truth in Focus is reviewing financial documents separately and will report what the records actually show.
Today, Truth in Focus also reached out to Ashland District Council member Melissa Fisher seeking answers about current council concerns and questions involving financial documentation. As of publication, we have not received a response. If we receive one, we will report it.
We want to hear from the council. We want to hear from the administration. We want to hear from traditional leadership. And, most importantly, we want to hear from the people.
Simply saying that government needs to “get back to business” leaves another question:
What does getting back to business actually look like?
How will trust be rebuilt? How will the public know when meetings occur? How will financial questions be answered? What decisions are currently waiting for council action? What services or programs are being affected? And what steps can be taken so that another constitutional crisis like this does not happen again?
Truth in Focus is not interested in choosing a political side. We are interested in documents, answers and accountability.
If you have a public notice, meeting announcement, resolution, financial record, court document or other information that can help the community understand what is happening, we want to hear from you.
You can message Truth in Focus on Facebook or email truthifocus@gmail.com.
If something we report is wrong, tell us. If you have documentation that adds context, send it. If you believe an important question is not being asked, tell us what that question is.
This is a developing story. We will continue updating it as information becomes available.
The people deserve to know what is happening with their government.
Truth in Focus
Steven Bullcoming Haworth, MPA, BS
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