Runoffs decide last 4 Tribal Council seats cherokeephoenix.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cherokeephoenix.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
TAHLEQUAH â Melvina Shotpouch, of Eucha, is the Dist. 10 Tribal Councilor-elect, winning the seat in a July 24 runoff against Shaunda Handle-Davis, according to unofficial results.
Unofficial results state that Shotpouch secured the seat with 59.1% of ballots, or 367 votes, to Handle-Davisâ 40.9% of ballots, or 254 votes. She will replace Harley Buzzard, who terms out this year.
In a previous Cherokee Phoenix article, Shotpouch said she previously served on the Tribal Council for three terms, the last of which was in 2007.
Shotpouch said she chose to run for Council again because the people in her district deserve a full-time councilor. She added that she is familiar with many CN programs due to her past experience.
Forensic audit measure of relief funds fails in E&F Committee cherokeephoenix.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cherokeephoenix.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Listen to the story.
In a historic ruling on Feb. 22, the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court struck the term “by blood” from its constitution and laws. Credit:
Share
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story originally appeared on KOSU. It has been updated with additional material for its airing on The World.
In a historic ruling on Feb. 22, the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court struck the term “by blood” from its constitution and laws.
The decision effectively ends a decadeslong debate over citizenship status in the largest tribe in the country.
Related:
Citizenship in the Cherokee Nation is not based on blood. Still, the language in the tribe s laws, constitution, and policies is central to an ongoing cultural and legal debate over whether the descendants of Cherokee Freedmen, who were formerly enslaved by the tribe, should be considered tribal members. The recent ruling upholds the 1866 treaty that the tribal nation signed with the federal government affirmi