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TAHLEQUAH, OK - John Shurr, chief of The Associated Press Bureau in Columbia, S.C., has been selected by the two current members of the editorial advisory board of the Cherokee Phoenix and Indian Advocate to be the third and final member of the board.

Mr. Shurr, a Cherokee tribal member, was born in Muskogee, Okla., and attended high school at Muskogee Central and Culver Military Academy, where he graduated in 1965. He still maintains the family’s original allotment in Muskogee.

Shurr earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, in 1973. While attending school, he worked as a reporter/photographer/editor at the Norman Transcript from 1970-73. His 30-year career in journalism includes work at AP bureaus in Indianapolis, Ind., Providence, R.I., and Chicago. Prior to assuming duties as AP bureau chief in Columbia, Shurr served in the same position in Oklahoma City from 1981-84.

John Shurr, a Vietnam War combat veteran, brings extensive experience to the board including service on the steering committee of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (1991-1999); trustee, treasurer and vice president of the First Amendment Congress (1980-88); chairman of the South Carolina Press Association Freedom of Information Committee (1987- present); the University of South Carolina College of Journalism advisory committee; and the Native American Journalists Association. In addition, he was recently named to the AP Diversity Council, which is designed to ensure that AP has a diverse workforce and is sensitive to diversity issues in their news reports.

Board members Pat Reeder, executive editor for the Claremore (Okla.) Daily Progress, and Gerald Wofford, audio-visual specialist and photographer with the Creek Nation Communications Department, chose Shurr for the position after reviewing resumes and letters of nominees.

“I am pleased that John Shurr, with his wealth of experience in the field of journalism and his devotion to the Cherokee tribe, has agreed to be a member of the editorial board,” Reeder said.

“It is important to me, a journalism professional of more than 30 years, that the board bring credibility to what I believe is an historic move to a Cherokee free press. John Shurr’s reputation in the Associated Press is notable,” Reeder said. “I am looking forward to working with him in this endeavor.”

“His addition to the editorial advisory board will be tremendous,” Wofford said. “His vast experience with various newspapers and the Associated Press is a plus, and the fact that he is based outside the state of Oklahoma brings balance to the advisory board.”

Shurr expressed enthusiasm about serving on the board.

“It’s quite an honor for me to be asked to serve on the editorial board of the Cherokee Nation,” he said. “The Cherokees have a proud history as the first Native Americans to have a tribal newspaper – The Phoenix – which I’m glad to see is again the name of our newspaper. This is interesting because my first job as a reporter was at The Phoenix in Muskogee.

“It is my hope that the editorial board will keep The Phoenix a strong, independent voice for the Cherokee people. That’s my first priority,” he said. “I’d also like to see The Phoenix recognized by the Native American Journalists Association as one of the best tribal newspapers in America.”

The editorial advisory board was established in the Cherokee Independent Press Act of 2000, which called for a three-member editorial board of professional journalists with “quality experience in the management and operation of publications.” Two of the three must be Cherokee. All are.

The legislation calls for the appointment of one member by the principal chief and one by the tribal council, with the third being appointed by the initial two, subject to confirmation by the chief and the council.