Cherokee Nation Tribal Council elects new speaker and approves FY26 budgets, code amendment and multiple resolutions

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council at its regular meeting elected Johnny Jack Kidwell as speaker and approved multiple budget and governance measures, including an amendment to Title 21 of the Cherokee Nation Code and the tribe’s fiscal-year 2026 capital and operating budgets.

The council voted to elect Johnny Jack Kidwell as speaker after a resolution to that effect was moved by Councilor Dora Petzkowski and seconded. Kidwell took the oath of office before the council. The council also approved a resolution electing Joshua Sam to the office of secretary.

Why it matters: the leadership changes and budget approvals set the council’s immediate priorities for governance and spending. The operating and capital budgets adopted Wednesday (motions labeled items p and q) were passed by roll call with 15 yes votes and no recorded opposing votes, moving the tribe into its fiscal-year 2026 appropriations cycle.

Most measures were adopted in blocks. The council approved several grouped agenda items (blocks labeled c–e and f–j) without recorded debate, and adopted a set of standalone items that drew roll-call tallies. Notably, the council passed an act amending Title 21 (item k) — described in the meeting as amendments to “scribes and punishments” of the Cherokee Nation Code Annotated — on a roll call that produced 15 yes votes and no recorded dissent, and declared the item adopted.

Other formal actions included approval of a resolution authorizing an easement and service-line agreement with Ozark Electric Cooperative to provide electric service across trust land for the benefit of Mike and Jennifer Taylor in Sequoyah County (item l), and two resolutions authorizing the Cherokee Nation warehouse to donate surplus items to Southern Cherokee Helpers and to Hulbert Public School (items m and n). The council also approved an amendment to the comprehensive operating budget for fiscal year 2025 (mod 12) (item o) and declared an emergency on that amendment; the motion passed on roll call with 15 affirmative votes.

Several routine votes were conducted by roll call. The meeting record shows the clerk calling names and recording a uniform set of 15 yes votes on multiple items; two councilors were noted absent during several votes.

Quotes and attributions: Councilor Dora Petzkowski moved the resolution electing Kidwell, saying, “I move for its approval.” Councilor Black Fox Qualls likewise moved the resolution electing Joshua Sam, stating, “I move for his approval.” The clerk announced results on roll-call votes, including, for the Title 21 amendment, that “the motion passes” with the recorded yes votes.

What remains procedural: the council adopted the FY26 budgets and several resolutions as emergency or immediate actions during the meeting; staff and committee follow-ups were not detailed in the morning record. The meeting concluded with routine announcements and the council’s adjournment.

Votes at a glance: item k — Act amending Title 21 (Cherokee Nation Code Annotated): passed, roll call 15–0; item o — FY2025 comprehensive operating budget mod 12: passed, roll call 15–0; item p — FY2026 capital appropriations budget: passed, roll call 15–0; item q — FY2026 operating budget: passed, roll call 15–0; item l — easement/service line to Ozark Electric Cooperative: passed (adopted); items m and n — warehouse surplus donations to Southern Cherokee Helpers and Hulbert Public School: passed (adopted). Several grouped blocks (c–e and f–j) were adopted as a block without separate roll-call transcripts shown.

Ending: Council leadership noted the next tribal council meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. at tribal headquarters, W.W. Keeler Complex. The council adjourned after brief announcements and expressions of condolence for community members who died.