OKLAHOMA — Chad Smith announced that he would run for re-election as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

“We are building an economy in Northeastern Oklahoma, creating jobs in our local communities and keeping our culture strong,” Smith said. “We are maturing as a nation and as a people, and there’s still a lot of work to do as we prepare the next generation of Cherokees. I want to finish what we’ve started.”

The stability of the Cherokee Nation since Smith took office has created an environment for growth. The Cherokee Nation and its businesses employed around 3,000 people when Smith took office in 1999. Today that number is around 8,000. “Our vision is to create a happy, healthy nation. We’ve been able to create jobs for our citizens and at the same time increase the amount of funding we have for services like health care, education and housing,” Smith said.

Smith is endorsed by Deputy Chief Joe Grayson, who is not running for re-election. Grayson also supports Chris Soap, a tribal council member from Pryor, who is Smith’s running mate.

“Chris and Chad have a great track record of working in Cherokee communities, and serving the Cherokee people,” Grayson said. “I’ve been with Chad eight years and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in that time. I look forward to being a part of what he and Chris do in the coming years.”

“I think it’s obvious to anyone who looks at how far the Cherokee Nation has come since Chad became chief that he’s done a great job,” Soap said. “I’m glad to have been a part of it the past few years on the Tribal Council and look forward to working with the Cherokee people and Chief Smith as deputy chief.”

School News, Pages 13 on 09/08/2010