Chief Lambert vetoes investigation on personnel issues

Tribal Council approved a measure earlier this month to wage an investigation into various personnel issues regarding tribal employees of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The investigation, approved during the regular session of Council on Thursday, Aug. 4, was not an official resolution but grew out of a discussion and was not put in writing.

That action was vetoed by Principal Chief Patrick Lambert one week later. In a letter to Tribal Council Vice Chairman Brandon Jones, dated Thursday, Aug. 11, he wrote, “I received your memorandum dated Aug. 9, 2016 advising that the above stated action and vote taken by Tribal Council would not be reduced to writing. It seems there is a mistaken belief that I cannot veto an act of Council due to an ordinance provision found in Chapter 117 of the Cherokee Code. However, it is clear that the Charter and Governing Document is the overriding power and authority and without question is the law that we all swear to uphold and take an oath to defend.”

Chief Lambert cites Chapter 12 of the Charter as well as Chapter 13 which states, “The Principal Chief shall have the power to veto all acts of Council.”

https://theonefeather.com/2016/08/chief-lambert-vetoes-investigation-on-personnel-issues/