And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Complete article at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5918/1999/feb99/jatad9809.html IN THE JUDICIAL APPEALS TRIBUNAL OF THE CHEROKEE NATION IN THE MATTER OF THE 1998 ) ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ) JAT NO. AD-98-09 JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE ) CHEROKEE NATION ) ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING THE CHEROKEE NATION JUDICIAL SYSTEM This is the annual report required to be submitted to the Council of the Cherokee Nation ("Council") pursuant to 20 CNCA § 43. The statute requires the judicial branch to conduct an annual judicial conference, to conduct a comprehensive survey of the conditions of the court system, and to give recommendations for legislation to the Council. On December 31, 1998, the Annual Judicial Conference of the Cherokee Nation was held at the Cherokee Nation Courthouse in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Present at the meeting were Associate District Judge Drew Wilcoxen, Justice Philip H. Viles, Jr., Justice Ralph F. Keen, Chief Justice Dwight W. Birdwell, and one or more members of the staff of the Court.[1] CHEROKEE NATION COURTHOUSE The historic Cherokee Nation Capitol Building, now known as the Cherokee Nation Courthouse, serves as the offices and courtrooms of the judicial branch of the Cherokee Nation. Having survived the armed takeover by the Byrd Administration in June, 1997, the Courthouse is once again in proper hands, clean, in reasonable repair, and open to the public. The Courthouse is a symbol of the rule of law, the virtues of constitutional government, and of the best of human decency. The Courthouse is also a link with the Cherokee peoples’ rich heritage. The grand old building is a source of great pride among the Cherokee people. The Courthouse is also a popular tourist destination. Photographs and art once enhanced the interior of the Courthouse. Those items were removed during the Administration’s takeover and they have not been returned, even though more than 16 months have passed since that event. Those items should be returned. Bare walls do not excite visitors, and unexcited tourists are less likely to have fond memories of their visit to the Cherokee Nation. The Council should pass a resolution requesting the Administration to return the removed items. The physical condition of the Cherokee Nation Courthouse has been cleaned up and continuously improved since its reopening. Funds in the Court's budget have been used to make the first floor of the Courthouse handicap accessible, and the courtroom has been moved to the first floor. Because the Cherokee Nation Courthouse is a National Historic Landmark, all renovations have been made without violating the historic nature of the structure. The Byrd Administration has refused to provide law enforcement protection for the building, its contents, the Cherokees who work in it, or the public who use it. Additional security cameras have been installed, but they are no substitute for police protection. This absence of police protection, and law enforcement officials who are authorized to carry out Court Orders, and perform services, such as service of process, must be corrected immediately. The Council should pass a resolution insisting that the Administration provide law enforcement protection for the building, its content, the Cherokees who work in it, and the public who uses it. The Courthouse is old and maintenance of its present condition, alone, costs money. It is the plan of the judicial branch, not to just maintain the status quo, but to continue to improve the building for today’s Cherokees and those who will come after us. The judicial branch has requested funds in the 1999 budget to continue to maintain and improve the Courthouse for the people of the Cherokee Nation. JUDICIAL APPEALS TRIBUNAL CASELOAD The Judicial Appeals Tribunal had a significant caseload in 1998. In 1998, approximately 19 new cases were filed. That number marks a reduction from the all-time high number of 45 cases filed in 1997. However, with prior-year cases pending at the beginning of 1998, combined with the new case filings, the workload on the Tribunal was the greatest in its history. <<END EXCERPT &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
