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Cherokee kicks off new Council term BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians marked the start of a new Tribal Council term this week, with 2021 election winners sworn in and new officers selected Monday, Oct. 4. Through 2023, Big Cove Representative Richard French will serve as chairman and Birdtown Representative Albert Rose will serve as vice chairman. The brand new Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center hosted an inauguration ceremony for the newly elected Tribal Council and Cherokee School Board representatives, featuring performances of “Cherokee National Anthem” and “Morning Song” from the New Kituwah Academy Singers. Associate Justice Brenda Pipestem administered the oath of office for the three new school board members, and Chief Justice Kirk G. Saunooke administered the oath of office for all 12 Tribal Council members, three of whom represent a change in membership from the 2019-2021 Council. Teresa McCoy has returned to her seat representing Big Cove after Perry Shell opted not to run for re-election. Former chairman Bill Taylor defeated Chelsea Saunooke to claim one of the Wolfetown seats, and T.W.
Smoky Mountain News
October 6-12, 2021
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Price Saunooke is beginning his first term on Tribal Council after overcoming Tom Wahnetah in the Yellowhill race. After serving two terms as chairman, Snowbird/Cherokee County Representative Adam Wachacha will no longer lead the horseshoe after a move to reappoint him to the seat resulted in only three yes votes. French, who is now starting his fourth term on Tribal Council, secured the support of the remaining nine Council members. Likewise, Yellowhill Representative David Wolfe was not reappointed to the vice chairman’s seat after losing narrowly to fifth-term member Rose — each man received six votes in support, but due to Tribal Council’s weighted voting system Rose prevailed 56-44. “I just want to thank everyone for your faith and your confidence in me being your chairman. I want to thank Dave and Adam for the great job they’ve done to move this tribe forward over the last four years,” said French. Tribal Council kept Michelle Thompson as English clerk, Beloved Woman Myrtle Driver as Indian Clerk, Sally Arch as interpreter and Bobby Taylor as door marshal. During a round-robin opportunity for comments that followed
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Surrounded by his family on Oct. 4, Richard French takes an oath of office for the new Council term. Later that morning, his fellow representatives elected him Council chairman. Holly Kays photo
