Treasurer: Cherokee Nation finances holding amid federal shutdown; check-fraud surge prompted account changes
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Summary
Treasurer Taylor told the council the tribe's fiscal conservatism and FY25 grant drawdowns have helped sustain services during a federal shutdown, and reported a recent increase in check fraud that prompted closing a checking account and a push toward direct deposit.
Treasurer Taylor told the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council that the tribe is operating through a lengthy federal shutdown but has been able to continue programs by drawing on FY25 grant balances and maintaining conservative fiscal practices.
"We are in the midst of a lengthy federal shutdown," Taylor said, adding the council—s fiscal conservatism and available grant drawdowns have allowed the tribe to continue services. Taylor said the tribe cannot sustain indefinite support if federal aid remains paused, but that short-term measures and remaining FY25 drawdowns have helped bridge the gap.
Taylor also described a spike in attempted check fraud that required the tribe to close one checking account as a safety measure. Staff, including Jamie Cole, Delana McMurtry and James Hilton, have been reviewing suspicious items. Taylor urged council members and community groups not to post photographs of checks online and encouraged groups to use presentation checks for photo opportunities. She also said the tribe is moving more payments to direct deposit and offered to help groups complete the simple form required to enable bank-to-bank deposits.
Taylor closed by offering to follow up on any council questions; no further questions were recorded on the transcript.
