Council approves five committee items including Title 68 amendment; roll call shows unanimous passage

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved five items moved up from committee, including a resolution to donate surplus warehouse items to Westville Public Schools, three reappointments and an act amending Title 68 of the Cherokee Nation Code tied to implementation of the new gaming compact.

The council amended the agenda to add five committee items and considered each in turn. Councilman Cody Poindexter moved a resolution authorizing the Cherokee Nation warehouse to donate surplus items to Westville Public Schools; the motion passed by voice vote.

Deputy Speaker Kevin Easley moved a resolution confirming the reappointment of John Sparks as a commissioner of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission. The council approved the motion by voice vote.

Secretary Sam moved a resolution reappointing Lyndon Amberton to the Citizen Committee on Compensation; that motion passed by voice vote. Councilwoman Dora Petzkowski moved a resolution confirming the reappointment of Clary Doyle as a council appointment to the editorial board of the Cherokee Phoenix; that motion also passed.

The council then considered an act amending Title 68 of the Cherokee Nation Code, a legislative change tied to the Nation's new gaming compact and adjustments to jurisdiction and eligibility under the compact. Council members discussed the implications of the compact and the loss of enhanced jurisdiction for at-large citizens; both Councilman McGeady and Chief Hoskin offered remarks on the negotiation environment and the outcome. The council conducted a roll-call vote on the Title 68 amendment; Shelley read roll call and the chair announced, "Motion passes 17-0." The motion was recorded as passed by that tally.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the measures at the time of passage. No formal amendments to the Title 68 motion were recorded during the meeting.