elton – Coushatta Tribal Chairman Jonathan Cernek resigned Friday, August 9, halfway through his first four-year-term as the chairman. Any rumors associated with his resignation could not be confirmed at press time.
Cernek was elected to the seat as chairman and sworn in on June 2021, taking the place of David Sickey. Before 2021, Cernek had served on the council for a total of 11 years. During those years, he had served as the council’s vice chairman and as a council member.
Calls to tribal leaders and others in the tribal community went unanswered on Monday and Tuesday.
No word has been received yet on how an interim chairman is selected and if and when a new election will be held.
Crystal Williams has served as vice chairman under Cernek’s administration. Other board members include Loretta Williams, Kevin Sickey and Kristian Poncho.