TAHLEQUAH – Two Cherokee Nation citizens will vie for the District 10 Tribal Council seat as the current representative drew a lone challenger for the June 7 Cherokee Nation General Election.
District 10 encompasses portions of Delaware and Ottawa counties. The elected individual will serve a four-year term on the tribe’s legislative body.
The Cherokee Phoenix submitted questions to each candidate addressing various topics. Answers were instructed to be no more than 125 words. The Cherokee Phoenix does not edit candidates’ responses. Below are the responses from the candidates for the District 10 Tribal Council seat.
THE CANDIDATES:
Melvina Shotpouch, Eucha, Oklahoma (incumbent)
Haley Buzzard, Eucha, Oklahoma
Why did you choose to run for Tribal Council?
SHOTPOUCH: The Cherokee language connects us to our ancestors, history, and people. As the only first-language speaker on Council, I am committed to preserving and protecting our language while increasing the number of speakers. We’ve achieved great progress—building a new hospital, expanding contract health, improving infrastructure, increasing wellness programs, and preserving our culture and language. Yet, more remains to be done. Our Nation continues to grow and struggle, making it essential to rehabilitate older homes and build new ones. We must also support our elders, ensure stocked nutrition centers, and provide safe shelters for those in need. My family taught me that faith without good works is meaningless. I’ve dedicated my life to serving our Nation, working with local governments, and actively supporting our church.
BUZZARD: I am running for Tribal Council to provide the strong leadership that District 10 and all Cherokee citizens deserve, ensuring that your voices are heard and amplified in our Tribal Government. Service is at the core of who I am—both in my professional work and in my commitment beyond working hours to being a resource and advocate for our people. As a Tribal Council member, I will work to address the critical needs of District 10, including housing, language and cultural preservation, education, healthcare, and economic development. From day one, I pledge to be active, engaged, and responsive to all constituents.
With redistricting reshaping the districts, what will your strategy be to make sure all communities within your respective district are heard and represented?
SHOTPOUCH: My family is well known for bringing people together - normally with food - to keep people informed. I will continue to visit people where they are and continue to have community meetings to keep folks informed. We live in a new world where communication is in the palm of people’s hands. My door is always open, I always accept people’s calls and I always try to return emails.
BUZZARD: Redistricting brings both challenges and opportunities, and my strategy to ensure all communities within District 10 are heard and represented includes holding listening sessions and community meetings to ensure every voice is heard. I will establish multiple channels for citizens to reach me including social media, email, phone, and in-person visits. I will work with community groups within different areas of the district, so that local voices directly inform Tribal Council decisions. I will partner with community leaders, elders, and organizations to ensure every area is represented and included in Tribal Government discussions. My commitment is to serve every citizen in the district, making sure no one is overlooked, and every voice is valued.
What do you believe the greatest needs are within the district you are candidate for and how will you address those needs?
SHOTPOUCH: Quite often, I get requests from Cherokees who need better access to wellness centers and affordable housing. Making sure we have the resources to accommodate those needs and keeping operations running is the most important job of the Council. Healthcare and Contract Health will always be front and center. Working to ensure that people have a Dialysis clinic in close proximity to their home needs to be addressed. My experience and ability to work with my fellow Tribal Council members and the Chief are reasons to reelect me to Tribal Council.
BUZZARD: I am committed to increasing housing funding and new developments to ensure access to safe, affordable homes. Preserving our Cherokee heritage is essential, I will support expanding language programs and cultural initiatives in schools and communities. I also support the creation of community buildings north of Grove to provide gathering spaces for citizens. Education is key to opportunity—I’ll advocate for more scholarships, vocational training, and student support at all levels. To improve healthcare, I’ll work to expand services, increase outreach, and strengthen mental and health resources. Economic growth is vital, and I will champion diverse businesses, job creation, and workforce training. By staying active, engaged, and responsive, I will ensure these priorities are addressed with real solutions that create lasting change for our communities.
What services will you work to expand and/or create for citizens within your district?
SHOTPOUCH: I want to focus on funding for housing with a focus on rehabilitating houses for comfort and modern living. Water and Sanitation are also vitally important and we need more preventative care and wellness programs to create and promote healthier living. This includes a dialysis clinic located in our community. Education is the boot-strap that lifts all people, and we must find enough funding to continue to prepare our kids for the jobs of the future. Lastly, we need to continue to provide a place for our elders to gather while providing much needed nutrition.
BUZZARD: I will work to expand and create essential services to improve the quality of life for District 10 citizens. This includes increasing access to affordable housing, home repair programs, and rental assistance to ensure Cherokee families have safe, stable homes. I will strengthen cultural education and preservation initiatives to keep our heritage thriving. Expanding scholarships, vocational training, and mentorship programs will help students and adults succeed. To improve healthcare, I will advocate for mobile health clinics and enhanced mental health services. Economic growth is key—I will support job training programs and initiatives that create sustainable opportunities for Cherokee citizens. By working closely with the community, I will ensure these services remain accessible, effective, and responsive to the needs of all Cherokees.
How do you plan to protect and promote the Cherokee language and culture as a councilor?
SHOTPOUCH: It is my honor to be the only first language Cherokee speaker on Council. But it is also bittersweet. The crown jewel in our Nation is our Immersion school. We must continue to improve and evolve as the best native immersion language learning school in the world. We must make sure that every Cherokee family has access to this incredible school and always strive to protect language and increase the number of native speakers.
BUZZARD: As a Tribal Councilor, I will actively protect and promote the Cherokee language and culture by advocating for increased funding and resources for expanded Cherokee language immersion schools, adult learning programs, and community classes to ensure all generations can learn and use our language. Investing in youth and elder programs, creating mentorship programs that connect fluent speakers with younger generations to strengthen language transmission. Supporting cultural initiatives that teach traditional arts, storytelling, and traditional ceremonies, ensuring cultural knowledge is passed down. By prioritizing these efforts, we will ensure that our language and culture remain strong for future generations.
