By Steven Bullcoming Haworth, MPA, BS
Truth in Focus
LAME DEER, Mont. — Official administrative records released on September 25, 2026, confirm that the Tribal Council of the Northern Cheyenne Nation has scheduled a formal constitutional removal hearing concerning Tribal President Gene Small. The hearing is set for Monday, September 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the Little Wolf Capitol Building.
The proceedings stem from Resolution No. DOI-009 (2026), adopted by the Tribal Council on September 11, 2026, by an 8–0 vote. The resolution establishes formal hearing procedures following a written and sworn complaint filed by Melissa Lonebear alleging gross neglect of duty under Article VII, Section 2 of the Northern Cheyenne Constitution and Bylaws. Under the terms of the resolution, the council designated Jeromena Beartusk to serve as the neutral Hearing Officer to manage evidentiary rulings, with the final decision on removal remaining exclusively with the Tribal Council. The resolution specifies that a two-thirds affirmative vote—requiring at least eight council members—is necessary to remove an officer from office.
In an official response dated September 25, 2026, addressed to Melissa Lonebear and Ryhal Rowland, President Gene Small acknowledged receipt of an 11-page request for supporting documents but formally declined to produce evidence to the complainants. President Small cited Article VII, Sections 2 and 3 of the Northern Cheyenne Constitution, asserting that the constitutional due process requirement is a right belonging to the accused, not to those attempting to initiate removal. Small stated he does not admit the allegations in the complaint and affirmed his intent to appear at the September 28 hearing to defend his office.
In a public notice released to the Northern Cheyenne people, President Small stated that the Nation’s integrity and constitutional processes transcend political disagreements. “Whatever disagreements exist within our government, we remain Northern Cheyenne,” Small noted in his public statement. “We are relatives, and our Nation is bigger than any one dispute or any one elected official.”
The resolution outlines specific rules governing the proceeding, including establishing a closed hearing format under Resolution DOI-119 (2013) unless modified by council, setting strict time limits for evidence presentation, and placing presiding-officer duties on the Vice President due to the President’s status as the respondent. Truth in Focus will continue to report on these administrative proceedings as official records are made available.