Ever since I went public about my firing from the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, there has been a lot of confusion and misinformation about why it happened.
Some say I was fired for mentioning the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze in an op-ed. That op-ed was criticized by tribal administration, but it wasn’t the reason I lost my job.
What really led to my firing was a news story I wrote reporting allegations made by a former employee against the tribal administrator and upper management. I didn’t make these claims — I only reported them. Around the same time, the Indigenous Journalists Association issued a press release critical of the same tribal administrator.
Within an hour of her learning that both pieces were set to run in our newspaper, I was fired under the guise of a “reorganization.” One council representative supported it, but seven others voted in favor. Since then, I’ve been called a “troublemaker,” and some have even suggested my reporting could bring harm to the tribe.
The truth is that censorship doesn’t just happen to big national news outlets or late-night comedians. It happens in Indigenous communities too — even as we fight to protect our sovereignty and uphold our constitutions. Sadly, some leaders smile like politicians but act only for themselves and their close circle.
I started this campaign to:
• Stand up for Indigenous press freedom
• Support reporting that keeps our communities informed
• Defend the constitutional rights of every member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
• Hold power accountable while defending our sovereignty
Why I need your help:
I am currently unemployed and raising a family — my wife and our two kids. I cannot afford to file the legal petitions necessary to protect UKB members’ rights or continue reporting on critical issues in our community. Your support will go directly toward:
• Legal fees to file petitions and protect constitutional rights
• Living expenses for my family while I continue this work
• Costs of research, reporting, and publishing news that holds power accountable.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps me keep shining a light on issues that affect our people, protect our sovereignty, and stand up for truth, while ensuring my family can stay safe and supported.
Please donate and share this campaign. Together, we can make sure Indigenous voices are heard, protected, and respected — and ensure that the next generation of UKB members has a stronger, more accountable community.
Organizer

Troy Littledeer
Organizer
Stilwell, OK