A lot has changed in the Cherokee Nation; it has now become a leader in housing, education, vocational training, economic development and business. The Cherokee Nation which is recognized by the federal government has the right to exercise control over their tribal assets. Their assets not only include the 96 miles of the Arkansas River bed but also include 66,000 acres of land.
The Government of Cherokee Nation: The Government of the Cherokee Nation is democratic in nature. The government includes in itself the Judicial, Legislative as well as the Executive branches. That’s the main reason for its tripartite democratic form. In 1976 the Cherokee Indian had revised its constitution and was approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The Principal Indian Chief was vested with the Executive powers, the Tribal Council was appointed the Legislative powers and the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal was given the Judicial powers. The powers and duties of some of the authorities were overlapping each other.
The Deputy Principal Chief played a role in the Executive area of the government. During this monthly meetings of the Tribal Council were also held by the Deputy Principal Chief. The election of the council was similar to that of the Principal Chief and Deputy Principal Chief. The council is the legislative branch of the Cherokee Government. 14 County’s of the jurisdictional area and Cherokee Nation’s nine districts are represented by the council.
The Cherokee Indain Legal System: A Cherokee Nation District Court was set when the Cherokee Nation passed legislations in this context. Self Governance became a major part of Cherokee Nation and along with the Cherokee Nation District Court came the code of punishments and the procedures regarding the same. More action took place when four acts were passed which were related to the cooperative law. These laws will be enforced within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.
Laws related to the provisions for bonding and bail, penal code, Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act and a Uniform Vehicle Code were brought into action. All these laws were brought into compliance with Statutes of the State of Oklahoma. These acts were passed to strengthen the sovereignty of the Cherokee Indian tribe. These laws also allow other non Indian law authorities to take action relating to vehicle code violation and crimes.
Tax Code: A tax code was approved by the Cherokee Nation on February 10, 1990. This tax also includes the sales tax and tobacco tax on all the services and goods sold in the Cherokee Indian tribal land. The main purpose of the tax code is to increase the revenue so that they can provide the Cherokee Indians with a better way of life.
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