The Report from the Nation Council Meeting of The Chickamauga Nation (TCN) 11/6/2025.
By Line: Fort Smith, AR
Friday, November 7, 2025
Last night, during a meeting of the National Council of TCN, there were three votes in favor of expanding the role of the Tribe's government. The first vote was to update and expand the Governing Document to clarify “Full Faith and Credit” among the Treaty Regions and the Treaty Regions with the National Government.
The following was inserted into the National Governing Document for clarification: “As a result of Blood-Line descendancy extending between each of the Treaty Regions and as a result of Blood-Line descendancy of Treaty Signers extending between each of the Treaty Regions, the Full Faith and Credit of the Treaties, Laws, and government-to-government of the Treaty Regions with each other and the United States, shall extend between the Treaty Regions as well as to and from the National Government of The Chickamauga Nation.” During the discussion before the vote, they wanted to ensure that there was no mistaking that there is only one TCN, which comprises each of the independent Treaty Regions; together, they constitute integral parts of the whole.
The clarification conversation covered the fact that each of the Treaty Regions is now covered by the Full Faith and Credit of the Treaties, Laws, and government-to-government relationships that exist, which are now shared and retained within the Treaty Regions, as well as with the whole of TCN. One example is the 1684 Treaty with England and the colony of South Carolina. It now extends to the entire TCN, as well as to each of the individual Treaty Regions.
The second vote was to clarify TCN Commerce, Finance, and Administration Statutes. To this point, the codes for the Commerce, Finance, and Administration Department were written in paragraph form and not codified. The National Council was relieved to know that, as our Courts make determinations concerning business, finance, and administration, we have a set of numbered codes and statutes that will direct how our judges will interpret our laws. After the vote, one of the National Council members stated, “We had a lot of words and paragraphs on paper, now we have a set of statutes and codes that tell our people how we handle of business and administration of our Tribe.”
TCN Commerce, Finance, and Administration now has statutes in place that establish the Division and outline its operations. The new statutes establish the Commerce and Finance Division Director. The Division Director shall be called the Commerce and Finance Chief, and that Chief will be a non-voting member of the National Council. Almost every public aspect of Tribal life will fall under the authority of this Division. Eventually, we will have Vice Presidents of 7 overarching Divisions covering:
(1) The Agricultural Business Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: National Services, Treaty Region Services, and Conservation Services.
(2) Economic Development Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: Accounting Services, Business and Commerce Services, Corporations Board Services, and Housing and Development Services.
(3) Manufacturing and Production Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: Manufacturing Services, Production Services, and Arts and Crafts Services.
(4) Power, Energy, and Utilities Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: Power Services, Energy Services, and Utility Services.
(5) Professional Administration Services Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: Citizenship and Application Services, National Event Planning Services, Treaty Region Event Planning Services, IT Support Services, Tribal Preservation Services, and Public and Media Relations Services.
(6) Safety and Security Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: National Safety and Security Services and Treaty Region Safety and Security Services.
(7) Social Services Division will provide Citizens, businesses, and partners with: National Child, Family, and Senior Services, Treaty Region Child, Family, and Senior Services, Educational Services, and Health and Wellness Services.
The third vote was to clarify and provide for the future funding of TCN in accordance with Supreme Court rulings and the United States Tax Code. TCN has established statutes and codes to tax and levy taxes (or place liens) on lands under its jurisdiction. During the vote, one of the National Council members said, “This is a game-changer. To this point, we knew we could do it; now we have the legal authority actually to enforce our Treaty Rights through taxation.”
One of the funniest points made during this vote was about dog poop. Our member made the point, “that with these new tax statutes and codes, we could even tax dog poop.” One of the other Council members interjected, “We should probably tax the dog too.”
The discussion mainly revolved around the questions, “Do states have the right to levy personal property tax on non-tribal members who live within the jurisdiction of the Tribe?” and “What locations do we claim as within the jurisdiction of TCN?” and “What if a person, business or state refuses to pay the taxes, what authority do we have to force them to pay it?” The discussion was lively and often discussed from the viewpoint of the Tribe as well as from the person, business, or state being taxed. This was one of the most effectual conversations about authority to do something as opposed to actually doing something. In a time when retributional actions from many Original Peoples Tribes are understandable, our National Council showed an actual deference to dignity and respect.
Most of the conversations in council revolved around Federal Treaty law and Supreme Court rulings, as well as how our federal rights as a sovereign nation supersede those of state, county, and local laws. McGirt, Loper Bright, Carcieri, Montana, and Montoya were all mentioned during the conversation, and the sparkle in the eyes of many began to become evident as they knew they were preparing to enforce the rights guaranteed to us since that very first treaty in 1684.
The next regularly scheduled National Council meeting is on the third Wednesday of November.