Tensions over the Northern Cheyenne Nation’s finances incited the tribe’s traditional leadership to assume control over the Tribal Council on Thursday.

In the span of 24 hours, residents on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation received word that the tribal council had voted to remove President Gene Small from his position, only to then be told that the majority of the Tribal Council had been replaced and Small would stay on as president.

“As a Cheyenne,” said Small, “we’re not supposed to be fighting each other. “It’s not good for anybody.”

The fissure between Small and members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council dates back several months. Small, elected to office in November 2024, moved to launch an audit of more than $90 million in federal funds, the Gazette previously reporte

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