Cite as: 44 CNCA § 6

A. An Editorial Board is hereby created and shall consist of five members. At least three Board members must (i) be at least 25 years of age, (ii) have quality experience in management and operations of publications; (iii) be of good character and have a reputation of integrity; (iv) be physically able to carry out the duties of office; and (v) certify he or she will adhere to the standards of accepted ethics of journalism as defined by the Society of Professional Journalists and endorsed by the Native American Journalists Association. The other Board members must (i) be at least 25 years of age; (ii) have quality experience in business management; (iii) be of good character and have a reputation of integrity; and (iv) be physically able to carry out the duties of office.

B. The Principal Chief shall appoint two (2) members of the Editorial Board who must be citizens of the Cherokee Nation and one of which must have quality experience in the management and operations of publications; the Council shall appoint two (2) members of the Editorial Board who must be citizens of the Cherokee Nation and one of which must have quality experience in the management and operations of publications; and the fifth (5th) member shall be appointed by the other four (4) members of the Editorial Board and such person must be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. All members of the Editorial Board shall be subject to confirmation by the Council and the Principal Chief.

C. One member shall serve as Chairperson, one member shall serve as Vice Chairperson, and one member shall serve as Secretary. Officers shall be designated by the Editorial Board at the first meeting of each fiscal year.

D. The terms of the office of the Board Members shall be six years.

E. Board Members shall serve their terms of office free from political influence from any Executive or Legislative Officials of any Branch, Division, or Department of the government of the Nation and may be removed only for cause subject to a hearing by the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court. A petition for removal for cause may be brought by a vote of the majority of Council members, or the Principal Chief. Except as authorized under the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation, no member of the Board shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, receive, or in any manner be concerned in soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription, or contribution for any political organization, candidacy, or other political purpose. The Board Members shall not participate in any political campaign or be involved in any tribal political activity, except to exercise his or her right as a citizen to express his or her individual opinion and cast his or her right to vote.

F. The Board Members shall be provided a monthly stipend to be paid after the first meeting of each month. The stipend for Board chair will be Seven Hundred Dollars ($1,250) monthly and the stipend for other Board Members will be Six Hundred Dollars ($1,000.00) monthly, said increased rates effective no later than October 1, 2025. The Board Members may be provided reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in pursuit of their duties consistent with the policies of the Cherokee Nation as recommended by the Executive Editor and upon appropriate resolution by the Board.

Historical Data

LA 19–00, eff. July 17, 2000. Amended LA 08–01, eff. March 16, 2001; LA 05–05, eff. January 17, 2005; LA 16–09, eff. June 22, 2009; LA 22–19, eff. November 19, 2019. Amended LA 25-20, eff. November 16, 2020. Amended LA 15-25, eff. June 20, 2025.