EBCI Constitutional Convention Plans Community Outreach Following October Meeting

By Staff-Cherokee 411

October 21, 2026

CHEROKEE, N.C. — Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Constitutional Convention agreed during their Oct. 16 meeting to expand community engagement as they continue work toward drafting a new tribal constitution.

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During the session, delegates discussed strategies for sharing updates and gathering feedback from citizens across the Qualla Boundary and outlying communities. Rather than attempting to attend every individual community meeting, members suggested presenting at the Community Club Council, which meets quarterly and represents all EBCI communities.

“We need to get it out to the communities,” one member said during the meeting. “If we could go to the Community Club Council, present the information to them, they could take it back to their communities.”

The recommendation was added to the Convention’s next agenda as a key action item, with plans to coordinate scheduling with the Office of the Executive Committee to ensure alignment with future council meetings.

Secretary Lloyd Arneach Jr. confirmed that the outreach proposal will appear in the official minutes and as part of the next meeting’s agenda. Organizers said the goal is to improve communication and transparency as the convention continues its review of constitutional frameworks and proposed governance models.

Before adjourning, Chair Brad Letts was recognized for his extensive research contributions to the process. “Brad, thank you for your 400 pages of research,” one delegate noted, applauding the detailed groundwork guiding the convention’s next phase.

The EBCI Constitutional Convention has met regularly since 2023 to examine how the tribe’s foundational laws could be modernized to strengthen self-governance, clarify powers between branches of government, and preserve Cherokee values in contemporary governance structures.

The next Community Club Council meeting is expected to be scheduled in the coming months, with the convention planning to attend and present updates once a date is confirmed.

For Cherokee 411 readers:The EBCI Constitutional Convention represents a historic effort by the Eastern Band to revisit and update the Nation’s governing document. Tribal citizens are encouraged to attend community discussions and provide input as the drafting process continues into 2026.