"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - New Justices Sworn In to Supreme Court

***"Jim Wilcoxen, Supreme Court Justice"***

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice Darell Matlock swore in two new Supreme Court justices - Kyle Haskins and Jim Wilcoxen - following their confirmations by the Tribal Council at its July meeting.

At a July 20 ceremony at the Cherokee Courthouse, Matlock swore in Wilcoxen as a Supreme Court justice with about 30 people in attendance.

"I've been involved with the Cherokee Nation one way or another over the last 20 years since my dad passed and have certainly developed a keen fondness of the tribe and where it's going," Wilcoxen said. "And I will tell you now, I will do everything in my power to do the best that I can to uphold the constitution and laws of the Cherokee Nation."

Wilcoxen received his J.D. from Oklahoma City University and specializes in American Indian law as well as general, civil and criminal litigation.

The council confirmed Wilcoxen with a unanimous vote.

Haskins was sworn in a day earlier with little fanfare. Matlock administered Haskins' oath of office after driving to Tulsa County's Courthouse where Haskins serves as a special judge in the Tulsa County 14th Judicial District.

Haskins presides over family court, adoptions, guardianships and probate dockets. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

The council confirmed him as a Supreme Court justice with a 15-2 vote.

Haskins and Wilcoxen became the first Supreme Court justices under the 2003 Constitution, which became the tribe's governing document in June. The new constitution changed the court from the Judicial Appeals Tribunal to the Supreme Court. Haskins and Wilcoxen join Matlock, Darrell Dowty and Stacy Leeds as Supreme Court justices.

Wilcoxen's term will expire Dec. 31, 2010, while Haskins' term expires Dec. 31, 2008.

Travis Snell can be contacted by e-mail or by telephone: 918-453-5358.