Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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Chief Justice Darrell Dowty administers the oath of office to Stacy Leeds, the first female Justice on the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal. Leeds replaces Philip Viles, who looks on in the background.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation’s first female Justice took her oath of office Thursday, August 15, 2002 on the steps of the Cherokee Nation Courthouse in downtown Tahlequah. Chief Justice Darrell Dowty administered the oath of office to Stacy Leeds, an Indian law professor, officially making her a Justice on the Cherokee Nation's highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal.

"This is an exciting time", Leeds said. "I look forward to helping our tribal courts serve the Cherokee people."

Leeds was confirmed by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Monday night to take the place of Philip Viles, who served on the JAT for more than 25 years.

"I want to commend Justice Viles for being so magnanimous and being here today", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "This brings to the end one era of the Cherokee Nation and starts another."

"It brings to an end an episode of our history that was marked with conflict over our constitution. Today, the future of the Cherokee Nation looks bright. If is wasn't for the 25 years of service Philip Viles has given to the Cherokee Nation and the sacrifices he has made, we would not have that bright future", Chief Smith said. "It's the start of a new era, with Stacy Leeds joining our JAT. Not only does she add diversity to our court, she is also a great Indian law scholar with youth, vitality and enthusiasm. For us to see another generation of Indian lawyers and scholars pursuing coming forward to take leadership roles makes me fell very confident about the future of the Cherokee Nation."

Justice Leeds has found a home in Tahlequah and will commute the University of Kansas this fall, where she will be a visiting law professor and interim director of the Tribal Law and Governance Center at the University of Kansas School of Law.