Cheyenne-Arapaho dispute leads to protest of BIA

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An ongoing dispute over who's in charge of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes has led to a protest at a regional Bureau of Indian Affairs office.

Tribal Lt. Gov. Leslie Harjo maintains she is the tribes' rightful governor. She said Wednesday the demonstration by her supporters outside the BIA's El Reno office a day earlier led attorneys representing the BIA to schedule a meeting with her next week.

Tribal Gov. Janice Boswell is locked in a dispute with Harjo and both are running what appear to be separate tribal governments. Harjo says the BIA has recognized judges who have ordered Boswell be suspended from office, while Boswell says she's appealing the BIA's decision.

A tribal council meeting is set for May 7 to try and resolve the dispute.