UKB COUNCIL — MAY 2 SESSION
Federal policy shifts, a 50-hire float season, and a damaged billboard frame a busy spring agenda.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council met May 2 with an agenda that moved from Washington policy discussions to staffing shortages at tribal businesses, including openings at Oklahoma Station and Diamondhead.
Chief Jeff Wacoche reported on April’s Annual Self Governance Conference in Arizona, where a UKB delegation met with federal officials and attended sessions focused on tribal self-governance initiatives. Wacoche also discussed the House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill, which now advances to the Senate. He said the legislation restores the Local Food Assistance Program and described the proposed 2027 federal budget as supportive of long-term tribal self-sustainability.
Wacoche said the tribe has submitted land-in-trust applications to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and continues work involving historic preservation, youth programs and internship opportunities.
Secretary Caleb Grimmett-Smith attended a tribal meat and poultry processing technical assistance fly-in in Missoula, Montana, focused on expanding tribal agricultural production capacity.
Jeremy Wright, COO of the Federal Corporation, reported that $57,516 was submitted to the tribe for April, bringing the year-to-date total to $285,231.
Wright said several tribal business operations are seeking employees. Openings include a kitchen supervisor position at Oklahoma Station, therapists at Echota Behavioral Health and seasonal hiring connected to Diamondhead operations. He said approximately 186 employees currently work for the Federal Corporation.
Council members also discussed a damaged billboard structure. Wright said repairs are estimated at approximately $500,000 and could take decades to recover through advertising revenue. Discussion included whether the structure should be repaired, replaced or leased to another operator. No vote was reported during the meeting coverage reviewed by the paper.
During public comment, tribal member Anile Locust criticized portions of the tribe’s election process and hiring practices.
Locust objected to time restrictions involving candidates and voters under the election ordinance and urged the Council not to impose additional filing or voting restrictions.
“Let’s not put time restraints for voters and filers in our election ordinance,” Locust said.
Locust also said some hiring managers were not following UKB hiring preference policies for tribal citizens.
“It appears some hiring managers and directors are unaware of our UKB preference policy,” Locust said. “It looks like the ABK policy, ‘Anyone But Keetoowah.’”
She additionally referenced prior Council actions involving the tribal administrator position held by Jennifer Cole-Robinson and questioned whether the matter had been properly addressed. Cole-Robinson later returned to the tribal administrator position. The meeting coverage reviewed by the paper did not include documents explaining the administrative changes discussed during public comment.
Grimmett-Smith also presented the enrollment report and said four membership applications and one relinquishment application had been received.
Tax Commission Chairwoman Joyce Hawk reported $20,072.45 in gross sales for April. After distributions, she said $1,176.10 was allocated to education funding and $10,584.83 remained for tag office operations.
The Council also passed measures requiring monthly reports from Federal Corporation executive leadership and the tribal health director.
— Staff Reports, May 2, 2025 Council Session