Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

New Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member Buel Anglen takes the oath of office from Cherokee Nation Chief Justice Darrell Dowty on the steps of the Cherokee Capitol Building, as Principal Chief Chad Smith (left) and Anglen’s wife Clara look on.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Tulsa and Washington counties once again have full representation on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. Buel Anglen was appointed to fill the District Eight council vacancy created by the death of Dorothy Jean McIntosh last October. Anglen earned the next highest vote count after McIntosh in the 1999 elections and will serve the remainder of McIntosh’s four-year term.

"Dorothy did a great job, and I’ve got some mighty big shoes to fill", Anglen told the Council after his appointment. "We're going to set up some community meetings. I promise you, I won’t let you down."

Anglen, a Skiatook resident who lived in Sperry for more than 50 years, will represent Tulsa and Washington counties, which comprise District Eight, on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council.

In a special council meeting called by Principal Chief Chad Smith for the purpose of filling the District Eight vacancy, the council split their votes between Anglen and Doug Ketcher. In an emotional moment, Deputy Principal Chief Hastings Shade cast the deciding vote for Anglen.

"It's been a while since that chair over there was filled", Shade said, gesturing to McIntosh’s seat. "Buel, you’ve paid your dues."

Anglen's appointment was met with loud applause from the audience.

"Buel has been a leader in the Indian community for years", Smith said, he received tremendous support in the last election and will represent the people of District Eight well."

"Now we have 15 council members again", said John Ketcher, Tribal Council member from Tahlequah. "May Dorothy rest in peace."

Cherokee Nation Chief Justice Darrell Dowty administered the oath of office to Anglen on the steps of the Cherokee Capitol in Tahlequah.