By Steven Bullcoming Haworth, MPA, BS
Truth in Focus | Special Governance Series
When governing bodies operate in the dark,
accountability is the first casualty. Across Indian Country—and right here in our local community—citizens are navigating complex administrative challenges, disputed council actions, and questions surrounding fiscal oversight and procedural compliance.
Behind the daily headlines and political disagreements lies a fundamental structural reality: the constitutional frameworks that govern our institutions. Many of today’s administrative traps were set nearly a century ago under boilerplate governance templates that concentrated power while stripping away essential checks, balances, and public notice requirements.
Over the next week, Truth in Focus is publishing a 3-part educational series titled “Beyond the Noise.” This series examines our local governance through an objective public administration lens—combining historical legal context, real-world forensic audit findings, and practical pathways for citizen-driven reform.
What We Will Cover:
Part 1: The 1934 IRA Trap & Procedural Transparency
An analytical breakdown of how pre-1934 customary law was replaced by centralized council models, the impact of missing procedural safeguards, and why recent independent audits (including findings from Brady Martz and Gable Gotwals) highlight the urgent need for financial and administrative oversight.
Part 2: Modern Governance Models &
Traditional Alignment
An exploration of three structural models that blend modern administrative efficiency with traditional Cheyenne principles, restoring community checks on executive power.
Part 3: The Citizen’s Path to Constitutional Reform
A step-by-step roadmap for district-level engagement, constitutional referendum procedures under Article IX, and practical tools for holding leadership accountable.
Real reform does not happen through rumor or reaction—it happens through informed, structured civic action.
Stay tuned as we roll out Part 1 this week.
Stay informed, stay together.
#TruthInFocus #NorthernCheyenne #TribalGovernance #ConstitutionalReform #Civics #MontanaNews #PublicAdministration