Bill John Baker, a Tahlequah businessman and longtime Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor, today announced he is a candidate for the office of Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
“It has been a wonderful experience serving the Cherokee people as their Tribal Councilor all these years,” Baker said. “But I feel I can serve them even better as chief.”
Baker challenged the current Administration, “After 12 years of one man’s administration, we are stagnant,” he said. “We need new and creative ways and ideas of how to help our people and that will require new leadership.”
Baker noted that the President of the United States and the Governor of Oklahoma by law can serve only two terms or eight years. He also pointed out that the Cherokee Constitution of 1999 states that the Principal Chief can only serve for two consecutive terms or eight years.
Baker says he believes the Cherokees deserve a good education, good healthcare, good housing and decent wages. “I will always put the people and their needs first,” he said. “These are difficult times for our people and I want to do everything possible to remove all the roadblocks to their health, welfare and happiness.”
Baker currently serves as Tribal Councilor representing District 1, Seat 1. Although he represents the entire Cherokee Nation, he is elected by the people of Cherokee County.
He was first elected in 1995 and served through 1999, and again in 2003 through 2007. That year he was elected through the year 2013 by a 63-percent majority of the voters.
“Through the years, my major focus has been on education for our young people and direct services for all of our people including dentures, eyeglasses and contract health,” Baker said. “I have also supported better housing and emergency repairs, rehabilitation, handicap accessibility and replacement homes.”
He was a leader in raising the minimum wage to $9.25 per hour and giving $1000 bonuses to employees when the funds were available.
“I want to make a pledge to all Cherokee people everywhere—when I am elected I will bring together the brightest and best minds the Cherokees have to offer to give me wise counsel and ideas for how to best serve all the people,” he said. “I also look forward to visiting with as many of our people as possible in the next few months to listen to your suggestions and concerns and to learn how we can better serve all the people of the great Cherokee Nation.”
Baker says his years on the council have been not only a job but a joy to serve the Cherokee people.
“Working together, we can build a wonderful future for Cherokees everywhere,” he said. “With God’s help and your support, we can ensure that the best days are yet to come.”
The election will be held on June 25, 2011.