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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Joe Grayson will seek re-election in the 2007 Cherokee Nation election in June. Smith and Grayson have led the CN though times of prosperity and growth. “It’s been an honor serving the Cherokee people,” Smith said. “Every day I am reminded of how much responsibility the people have given us. In the last eight years, we’ve put controversy behind us and focused on preserving our language and culture, creating jobs and helping Cherokee communities.” Since Smith took office in 1999, the tribe’s annual budget has more than doubled, with record amounts of money being used for services such as health care, elder care, education communities and cultural initiatives. “We’ve got children, preschoolers, elementary age, even high school kids, who can speak Cherokee to each other,” Smith said. “When you see little kids telling jokes and laughing with each other in Cherokee, you know we are on the right track.” “Everywhere you look you can see progress,” Grayson said. “New clinics and expansions are going up in Muskogee, Nowata and Sallisaw. Communities have come together to work on self-help housing projects and community buildings.” Smith and Grayson said they believe strong Cherokee communities are the key to keeping Cherokee culture alive, and the best way to keep communities strong is to provide jobs for Cherokee people. The CN and its entities now employ 6,500 people, nearly 4,000 more than when Smith took office. “The greatest service we can provide is to create meaningful jobs for Cherokees,” Smith said. “Our jobs have good benefits and a retirement plan, and pay very competitive salaries. We want our people to be able to stay here at home and have good jobs so they can contribute back to the culture. We don’t want our kids and grandkids to have to move out-of-state just to find a job. We have to keep investing in the future of the Cherokee Nation and create more jobs for our people. Even with the success we’ve had, we can’t stop where we are now. We’ve got to keep going.” Cherokee actor and traditionalist Wes Studi said, “Chad Smith and Joe Grayson have the Cherokee Nation headed in the right direction. It has never been in better shape and Cherokees are proud to be Cherokee again.” Source: Smith/Grayson Campaign