LAME DEER, Mont. — October 4, 2026. Northern Cheyenne government entered a new phase after a series of tribal-court rulings reaffirmed the authority of eight council members removed in 2025, followed by a September 30 Tribal Council vote to remove President Gene Small. Small disputes the validity of that action and maintains that he remains president.
What the courts ruled
On August 18, the Northern Cheyenne Trial Court ruled that the September 2025 Chiefs’ Declaration purporting to remove eight elected council members, and the special election used to replace them, were void. On September 22, an appellate ruling reinforced the authority of the original council members. A September 23 Tribal Court order then directed the transition of governmental authority, offices, records and resources back to those council members.
The rulings are significant because they address the constitutional question that has driven the yearlong dispute: whether elected council members could be removed outside the procedures established in the Northern Cheyenne Constitution.
What happened September 30
On September 30, the reinstated Tribal Council proceeded with a removal hearing concerning President Gene Small. The proceeding followed weeks of dispute over notice, access to the Little Wolf Capitol Building, hearing procedures and the respective roles of the hearing officer, advocates and Council members.
Later that day, the Council voted to remove Small from office and appointed Vice President Ernest Littlemouth Sr. as interim or acting president. Reporting from Buffalo’s Fire and KULR documented the vote. Small contests the Council’s authority and says he remains president.
What is settled — and what is not
The court rulings provide a substantially clearer legal record concerning the eight council members: the recent decisions recognize their continuing authority as elected members of the Tribal Council. The dispute over the presidency is different. The Council has taken formal action to remove Small, but Small disputes the validity of that proceeding and the resulting vote.
Truth in Focus will not treat unresolved claims as settled fact merely because one side states them. The newsroom has since obtained and reviewed Resolutions DOI-020 and DOI-021, which formally record the Council’s removal and acting-presidency actions. The remaining work is to reconcile those resolutions with the complete September 30 hearing record, certified roll call, signed minutes, notice/service record, hearing-officer materials, and any subsequent court or BIA filings.
Record Room: Follow the working source index for the removal proceeding → · DOI-020 and DOI-021 archive entry →
Why the distinction matters
This story has often been discussed as one broad political conflict. The record now requires more precision. The legality of the 2025 removal of council members, the authority of the restored Council, and the September 2026 effort to remove the President are related but legally distinct questions.
That distinction matters for citizens, employees, programs, contracts, elections and outside governments trying to determine who has lawful authority to act for the Tribe.
Sources and continuing coverage
- Montana Free Press, Aug. 19, 2026: reporting on the Trial Court ruling reinstating eight council members and voiding the replacement election.
- Buffalo’s Fire, Sept. 23, 2026: reporting on the Northern Cheyenne appellate ruling reaffirming the original council members’ authority.
- Buffalo’s Fire, Sept. 23, 2026: reporting on the subsequent Tribal Court transition order.
- Buffalo’s Fire, Oct. 2, 2026: reporting on the Council vote removing Gene Small and Small’s dispute of that action.
- KULR, Oct. 1, 2026: reporting on the Council vote and appointment of Ernest Littlemouth as acting president.
Update: Resolutions DOI-020 and DOI-021 are now part of the reviewed primary record. Truth in Focus will continue updating this story as the remaining hearing, notice, vote, court, and BIA records become available.
Look at the record. Follow the facts. Ask the questions.