Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

As the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's (CNO) run-off election date draws near the Chad Smith and Hastings Shade ticket is picking up endorsements. The run-off election is scheduled for Saturday, July 24, 1999.

Pat Ragsdale and Paula Holder
1999 Candidates for CNO Chief and Deputy Chief.
"We know that Chad Smith and Hastings Shade will provide responsible leadership and administration of all programs. They will give us leadership which Cherokees can be proud of against and they will restore the confidence and respect of all peoples for the integrity of the Cherokee Nation. This must be the goal of a responsible Cherokee government and leadership."

Wilma P. Mankiller
Former CNO Principal Chief and recipient of the Nation’s highest civilian honor the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"The July 24 election is not about the individual personalities of the candidates or their personal lives. It is about who can create new jobs. It is about who can restore the Cherokee Nation to greatness and lead us into the 21st Century. Please join us in voting for Chad Smith and Hastings Shade on July 24th. God bless the Cherokee Nation."

Ralph Keen
Former Chief Justice of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Judicial Appeals Tribunal "The Smith-Shade team can count on my full support in bringing our troubled Nation back together. This is not an easy task but I know with everyone working together we can restore respect to the Cherokee Nation."

Agnes Cowan
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma citizen.
"I'm for Chad Smith because he is a man of the people, for the people. He is grassroots and I trust his honesty and integrity.

Ross Swimmer
Former CNO Principal Chief
"I have known Chad since 1975 when I first hired him as a planner for the Cherokee Nation. I have watched him develop into a fine attorney, administrator and person. I'm fully confident that Chad Smith can lead this tribe into the next century. He has honesty, integrity and competency."

John Ketcher
Former CNO Deputy Principal Chief "As a newly elected councilor from Dist. #1, I ran on a platform for our constitution and the rule of law. I plan to do that --but I need help. We need leadership that believes as I do --I am voting for Chad Smith for Chief and Hastings Shade for Deputy Chief."

Dr. Rennard Strickland
Nationally Renown Indian Law Scholar and Author
"I have always known that Chad Smith is a Cherokee leader. He is experienced, qualified and prepared to serve our people as Principal Chief. We couldn't ask for a better leader at this critical time in Cherokee history than Chad Smith. Chad, and his running mate Hastings Shade have demonstrated years of dedication to the preservation of our heritage, culture and language. Please join me and thousands of other Cherokee tribal members in electing Chad Smith and Hastings Shade as the next Chief and Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation."

Barbara Starr Scott
CNO Council member of District #5 - Delaware County
"I think this is the most critical time in modern Cherokee history. This election alone will determine the direction the tribe will take in the new millennium. An informed Cherokee vote will be a vote for Chad and Hastings."

Charlie Soap
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma citizen.
"I have known Chad Smith and Hastings Shade for many years. They have always put our people first. They will keep their promises and respect their sworn oaths of duty."

Bob McSpadden
Former CNO Council Member from Vinita
"I know the Smith-Shade team will go in and get the job done and do the right thing. They will address the pressing needs of the Cherokee people."

Melvina Shotpouch
CNO Council member of District #5 - Delaware County
"We need a change in Cherokee government. I am supporting Chad Smith and Hastings Shade because they are qualified to lead the Cherokee Nation back to where it should be."

Wes Studi
Internationally known Cherokee actor and artisan.
"I have known Chad for years. He will serve the people, help protect our programs and services, maintain individual rights, restore accountability of tribal and federal funds. Now more than ever we must have the kind of leadership that Chad Smith will provide as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation."

Absentee ballots, for the upcoming Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) run-off election, are available to citizens of the CNO that are eligible to vote. The absentee ballots will be available for request until July 6, 1999.

To request an absentee ballot contact the:

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Election Commission
P.O. Box 1188 Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465-0948
Phone: (918) 458-5899 or 1-800-353-2895
Fax: (918) 458-6101