Creek Chief: Tribal Council Exceeds Authority With 'No Confidence' Vote

The Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation responded to the tribal council's vote of no confidence in a two-page letter Friday. This came after the National Council held an emergency meeting and handed down a vote of no confidence in Tiger Thursday.

Tiger claims that under the Nation's laws, the National Council Resolution is not permitted to be a political platform for the National Council to speak on Executive Branch matters.

Tiger also addressed a group that has created a petition in an attempt to impeach him and said the council's vote could impede a fair trial, if it were to come to that.

Read Chief Tiger's Full Statement

"I can state categorically that I have acted at all times in accordance with our constitution and the best interests of ALL Creek citizens," Tiger stated in his statement.

Thursday night 12 council members voted yes to a vote of no confidence and two against - the same two members that were absent at the last vote.

3/19/2015 Related Story: Creek Tribal Council Votes 'No Confidence' For Chief

Last week, the council voted to unanimously to ask Tiger to resign after a deal they said he made behind their back that would've allowed another tribe to build a casino in Creek territory.

3/11/2015 Related Story: Creek Tribal Council Asks Chief George Tiger To Resign

George Tiger issued a statement in response saying the deal he had made with the Kialegee Tribal Town was never a secret.

3/13/2015 Related Story: Creek Chief Releases Statement, Says Kialegee Deal Was Not Secret

Friday, Tiger released another statement saying, in part, “I find it very troubling and unfortunate that the National Council met last night during an Emergency Session to consider and vote on a National Council Resolution (NCR) declaring ‘no confidence' in my serving as your Chief and to seek my resignation.”

“If the required number of signatures of Tribal Citizens are obtained on the petition and validated under our laws, an impeachment trial is constitutionally required to be held before a fair and impartial National Council.”

“With the passage of the National Council Resolution, which includes certain ‘findings' in support of my resignation before any trial has been set or evidence presented from both sides, I fear the National Council has now created a constitutional crisis.”

Tiger said that the vote has further tainted the Citizens' right to a fair and impartial removal process and, “that no court in this country would seat a jury with twelve individuals who have already publically declared a defendant's guilt before a trial has even started.”

He continues to deny any allegations of wrongdoing and said he wouldn't let any distractions keep him from continuing to do his duty as Chief.