UKB council initiates impeachment process against treasurer

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Treasurer Sonja Gourd during its Jan. 3 meeting, though no immediate action will occur until a formal process is completed.

Sonja Gourd

The announcement came near the end of the meeting after a motion to enter executive session failed. Tribal Councilor Janelle Adair of the Illinois District called for articles of impeachment to be brought forward.

“I want to bring articles of impeachment against our Treasurer,” Adair said. “Sonya, this is your fifth year here. I hope you do the right thing for our people. I just wanted to let you know face-to-face that the process has started.”

No specific charges or supporting documentation were presented during the meeting, and council members did not vote on impeachment articles at that time.

Following the meeting, Victoria Holland, the tribe’s prosecutor and a U.S. delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, said impeachment requires a formal process and that no action will occur until that process is carried out.

“This will take a formal process to complete,” Holland said. “Nothing will happen on this matter until it is completed.”

The United Keetoowah Band’s governing documents outline procedural requirements for impeachment, including notice, due process, and council action. Those steps had not yet occurred as of the Jan. 3 meeting.

Gourd did not address the impeachment announcement publicly during the meeting.

The impeachment announcement followed earlier contentious votes during the same meeting, including a narrow 6–5 vote eliminating the tribal administrator position. Council members expressed differing views throughout the meeting regarding governance, transparency, and decision-making.

The next UKB Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at the UKB Wellness Building.