Copyright © 2007 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
Courtesy Cherokee Communicator
Copyright © 2007 Public Domain
The Smith/Grayson Team is leading our Nation in the Right Direction. They
are the Right Leaders, at the Right Time.
The Cherokee Nation has seen unequaled growth under the leadership of Principal Chief Chad Smith since his election in 1999. Chad Smith is creating good jobs for our people, with competitive salaries, good benefits and retirement plans. Instead of a situation where the next generation of Cherokees have to move out of state just to find a job, Chad Smith believes in investing in the future to create more jobs, so our people can stay home and build strong Cherokee communities and keep our culture alive. The Cherokee Nation is headed in the right direction. Jobs....Today the Cherokee Nation provides 6,500 jobs. In 1999, the Cherokee Nation and its businesses employed about 2500 people. Today, that number has grown to more than 6500, because Chad Smith made it a priority to reinvest in Cherokee businesses and create jobs. "Creating a job is the best service we can provide our people. When our citizens have good jobs, with health care benefits, it takes the financial burden off our health clinics, our housing programs, and other social service programs because those families are taking care of themselves and helping others in their community. That leaves more resources for services for our elders, our children and those who can’t work or help themselves." — Principal Chief Chad Smith Community... The Cherokee Nation is delivering record amounts of services like scholarships, roads, health care, language and cultural programs and services for our elders. Because of the success of Cherokee Nation’s businesses, Cherokee Nation Enterprise (CNE) has record-setting profits up 335% over three years, manufacturing at Cherokee Nation Industries, and environmental services at Cherokee Nation Business (CNB, there are more resources than ever for services to the Cherokee people. Our housing programs now help twice as many families as they did just a few years ago, because of new, community-based and self-help initiatives. Language & Culture.. A renaissance of Cherokee Culture and Language is flourishing... A new generation is speaking Cherokee, thanks to language immersion classes that have expanded from pre-school level to elementary age students. With community classes and language programs in schools, the Cherokee language, the foundation of our culture, is taking root in young people. "We’ve got children, preschoolers, elementary age, even high school kids, who can speak Cherokee to each other. When you see little kids telling stories and laughing with each other in Cherokee, you know we are on the right track." – Principal Chief Chad Smith A new Cherokee Nation Information Systems program has made it possible to conduct language classes which average 1,000 students from around the world. Principal Chief Smith has brought financial accountability, transparency and discipline, and under his leadership, there are more resources available for government services than ever in the history of the Nation. The Nation, under his leadership, now has resources to diversity and take advantage of non-gaming business opportunities. Cherokee Nation has become a national leader of governments in accountability: -First Indian Government to enact a Free Press Act An Administration that follows the constitution, and the rulings and orders of the Court. -Reclaimed our Marshal Services from the BIA Before Principal Chief Smith’s administration, there were furloughs of Cherokee employees, record deficits in the general fund, numerous federal audits resulting in disallowed costs and a cash flow crisis resulting from mismanagement of the government. The following is a list of "firsts" under Chief Smith's leadership. Cherokee Nation Car Tags Principal Chief Smith said, "Thanks to our Cherokee Nation employees we have accomplished these firsts and other milestones." Principal Principal Chief Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith Chief Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Georgia; Master's degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin and a Juris Doctorate, Law, from the University of Tulsa. Principal Chief Smith has led the Cherokee Nation out of a time of turmoil, unrest and controversy into an era of cooperation and achievement. Once again, Cherokee people value the community spirit of ga-du-gi, coming together to work for the greater good, because of his leadership. Principal Chief Smith looks to communities for leadership and has implemented programs and policies that allow for more direct input from community members and less bureaucracy. Principal Chief Smith has a rich family history of service to the Cherokee people. He is the great-grandson of Redbird Smith, a Cherokee patriot who fought against allotment of Cherokee lands at the time of the Dawes rolls. His grandmother, Rachel Quinton, was a life-long advocate for the Cherokee people. His father, the late Nelson Smith, was a respected industrial manager and his mother, Pauline Smith, still lives in Colcord. Smith’s late uncle, William Lee Smith, led the Keetoowah Society at the Stokes Stomp Grounds since the 50s. Smith’s wife, Bobbie Gail, is a full-blood, bi-lingual Cherokee from the Rocky Mountain community in Adair County. Bobbie Gail was Miss Cherokee in 1975, and has taken a leadership role in culture and language preservation. Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson , Jr. Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson , Jr., a full-blood Cherokee, is the grandson of Anna (Bird) and Price Robin and Mary (Davis) and Napoleon Grayson and the son of Charlotte (Robin) and Joe Grayson , Sr. who was a full-blood bilingual ordained Baptist Minister who also served as a Cherokee Community Representative in the 1960's and early 1970's. Joe, Sr. was also elected to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council in 1987 and served one four-year term. Joe Grayson , Jr. is a highly decorated veteran, having served his country in the United States Army, 4 th Infantry Division in Vietnam . He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the American Legion Post #50. Most of his professional life has been spent as a plumbing contractor, with the last 18 years spent working for W.W Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. Grayson is knowledgeable about Cherokee culture and regularly participates in Cherokee cultural activities. He has also co-chaired the Cherokee National Holiday, the Tahlequah Public Schools Indian Parent Committee, and served as Chairman of the Cherokee United Way . In 2005, he was elected National Congress of American Indians Vice President for Eastern Oklahoma . Joe Grayson , Jr., was born and raised in Cherokee County where he and his wife Gwen make their home. Gwen and Joe have both been actively involved in community service, volunteering for a number of organizations, including Help-In-Crisis and the Cherokee Heritage Center . Together they have five children, Joe III, Grant, Aaron, Stuart and Mary-Charlotte. His special initiatives during his term as Deputy Principal Chief include: Instituted the Cherokee National Medal of Patriotism. Initiated the construction and establishment of a Cherokee Warrior Memorial and expanded services to native veterans. Supported and expanded community based self help construction for housing, community buildings and utilities. Launched the Cherokee National Park System. Installed community groups to protect and restore historic sites and buildings. Initiated and supported expanded services for scholarship and training in vocational education and construction trades |
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