Cherokee Nation council approves amendment to FY2026 operating budget, declares emergency

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted unanimously to amend Legislative Act No. 26-25, authorizing the comprehensive operating budget for fiscal year 2026 (mod 1) and declaring an emergency. Councilor Danny Callison moved the measure and the clerk conducted a roll-call vote that recorded 17 yes votes and no opposition.

The measure was introduced during the consent/new business portion of the session and placed in the form of a motion by Councilor Danny Callison. Clerk Shelley read the roll call during the vote; members recorded affirmative votes that the clerk recorded as "Motion passes 17-0." The motion text as stated on the record was: "An act amending legislative act number 26 dash 25 authorizing the comprehensive operating budget for physical year 2026 mod 1 and declaring an emergency."

The council's on-record action was procedural and limited to approving the amendment and declaring the emergency; no additional policy language, funding breakdowns, or implementation instructions were included in the recorded motion or discussion. The transcript does not specify the exact dollar changes contained in the amendment, related departmental allocations, or an effective date beyond the emergency declaration on the motion itself.

The vote roster on the record included (as read by the clerk): Johnny Kidwell; Daryl Legge; Kendra McGaty; Dora Petzkowski; Cody Poindexter; Joshua Sam; Novato Shophouse; Condesa Teehee; Sasha Black Fox Qualls; Annie Callison; Julia Coates; Joe Deere; Kevin Easley; Ashley Grant; Uriah Grass; Lisa Hall; and Clifton Hughes. The motion passed 17-0.

Council adjourned shortly after the vote.