The inauguration ceremony will be hosted at Sequoyah High School’s gymnasium at 10 a.m. The nine Tribal Councilors who will be administered the oath of office by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Garrett include incumbents Joe Byrd, Victoria Vazquez, Frankie Hargis, Janees Taylor and Harley Buzzard as well as newcomers Mike Dobbins, E.O. Smith, Mike Shambaugh and Mary Baker Shaw.
The legislative branch consists of a 17-member Tribal Council representing the 15 districts inside Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction and two at-large seats representing citizens outside the boundaries. Members are elected by popular vote to four-year terms.
The elected officials to be sworn into office include the following:
District 2 – Joe Byrd
District 4 – Mike Dobbins
District 5 – E.O. Smith
District 7 – Frankie Hargis
District 9 – Mike Shambaugh
District 10 – Harley Buzzard
District 11 – Victoria Vazquez
District 15 – Janees Taylor
At-Large – Mary Baker Shaw
