Cherokee Nation Tribal Council confirms supreme court justice and approves donations, board appointments and budget amendments

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council on March 10 approved a series of resolutions and legislative amendments, including the confirmation of Amy Page as a justice of the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court, several board appointments, surplus-item donations and emergency budget amendments.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution confirming the nomination of Amy Page to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court after Councilor Danny Callison moved the confirmation. “We have a motion and a second. All in favor?” the presiding officer asked; council members responded “Aye” and the motion carried.

The council also approved the reappointment of Cheryl Rountree to the Sequoyah High School Board of Education (motion by Councilor Candessa Teehee), the appointment of Mildred Taylor to the Cherokee National Historical Society board of directors (motion by Councilor Daryl Legge), and a resolution authorizing limited consent to sue related to a lease agreement between Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation and the Cherokee Nation (motion by Councilor Cody Poindexter). All motions carried on voice votes.

Other approved items included authorizations for donations from the Cherokee Nation warehouse: surplus items to Marietta Public School (motion by Councilor Joshua Sam) and a vehicle to Will Rogers Downs (motion by Deputy Kevin Easley). The council passed two legislative acts amending fiscal-year 2025 budgets: Legislative Act No. 304-24 (comprehensive operating budget, MOD 6) and Legislative Act No. 303-24 (comprehensive capital budget, MOD 3). Both were moved by Councilor Joshua Sam and adopted with emergency declarations.

The council also adopted four resolutions supporting local housing projects and Public Health and Wellness Fund allocations for communities: Sally Bull Hollow (moved by Councilor Julia Coates), Jay (moved by Councilor Sharp Hatch), Veneta (moved by Councilor Kendra McGady) and South and Tompkinsville (moved by Councilor Dor Petzkowski). All motions passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Amy Page confirmation — motion by Councilor Danny Callison; outcome: adopted (voice vote, “Aye”); Cheryl Rountree reappointment — motion by Councilor Candessa Teehee; outcome: adopted (voice vote); Mildred Taylor appointment — motion by Councilor Daryl Legge; outcome: adopted (voice vote); Limited consent to sue (Caterpillar Financial Services lease) — motion by Councilor Cody Poindexter; outcome: adopted (voice vote); Cherokee Nation warehouse donations (Marietta Public School; Will Rogers Downs; other surplus donations) — motions by Councilor Joshua Sam, Deputy Kevin Easley and others; outcomes: adopted (voice votes); Legislative Act No. 304-24 (operating budget amendment, FY2025 MOD 6) — motion by Councilor Joshua Sam; outcome: adopted (voice vote); Legislative Act No. 303-24 (capital budget amendment, FY2025 MOD 3) — motion by Councilor Joshua Sam; outcome: adopted (voice vote); Housing and PHW support resolutions for Sally Bull Hollow, Jay, Veneta, South and Tompkinsville — motions by respective councilors; outcomes: adopted (voice votes).

Why it matters: confirmations and board appointments affect tribunal and education governance; donations and budget amendments authorize expenditures and program support for schools, racing operations and local housing initiatives. Most items were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript.

Ending: Council meeting minutes and the Cherokee Nation legislative acts will provide formal text and any fiscal details; the transcript shows unanimous voice approval on the floor for the items presented March 10.