Cherokee politician
Michell Hicks
In office 2003–2015Preceded by Leon Jones Succeeded by Patrick Lambert
Michell A. Hicks is a Cherokee politician serving as Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . He served three terms as Principal Chief from 2003 to 2015. In 2023, he was reelected Principal Chief for the fourth time.[1] [2]
Early life
Hicks was born and raised on the Qualla Boundary , the land trust of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.[3] He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Carolina University . He and his wife Marsha have 5 children.[4]
Career
Prior to serving as Principal Chief, Hicks has also served as the Eastern Band's Executive Director of Budget and Finance.[4]
In 2023, Hicks was reelected Principal Chief after winning 65% of the votes.[5]
Principal Chiefs of the Cherokee
Early decentralized leaders (pre-1794) Chickamauga/Lower Cherokee (1777–1809) Cherokee Nation East (1794–1839) Cherokee Nation West (1810–1839) Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory (1839–1907) United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (1939–present)
John Hitcher (1939–1946)
Jim Pickup (1946–1954)
Jeff Tindle (1954–1960)
Jim Pickup (1960–1967)
William Glory (1967–1979)
James L. Gordon (1979–1983)
John Hair (1983–1991)
John Ross (1991–1995)
Jim Henson (1996–2000)
Dallas Proctor (2000–2004)
George Wickliffe (2005–2016)
Joe Bunch (2016–present)
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma/Cherokee Nation (1907–present)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (1824–present)
Yonaguska (1824–1839)
Salonitah, or Flying Squirrel (1870–1875)
Lloyd R. Welch (1875–1880)
Nimrod Jarrett Smith (1880–1891)
Stillwell Saunooke (1891–1895)
Andy Standing Deer (1895–1899)
Jesse Reed (1899–1903)
Bird Saloloneeta, or Young Squirrel (1903–1907)
John Goins Welch (1907–1911)
Joseph A. Saunooke (1911–1915)
David Blythe (1915–1919)
Joseph A. Saunooke (1919–1923)
Sampson Owl (1923–1927)
John A. Tahquette (1927–1931)
Jarret Blythe (1931–1947)
Henry Bradley (1947–1951)
Osley Bird Saunooke (1951–1955)
Jarret Blythe (1955–1959)
Olsey Bird Saunooke (1959–1963)
Jarret Blythe (1963–1967)
Walter Jackson (1967–1971)
Noah Powell (1971–1973)
John A. Crowe (1973–1983)
Robert S. Youngdeer (1983–1987)
Jonathan L. Taylor (1987–1995)
Gerard Parker (1995)
Joyce Dugan (1995–1999)
Leon Jones (1999–2003)
Michell Hicks (2003–2015)
Patrick Lambert (2015–2017)
Richard Sneed (2017–2023)
Michell Hicks (2023–present)
Cherokee
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Early leaders
Cherokee Nation East (1794-1839)
Cherokee Nation West (1810-1839)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (1824-present)
Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory (1839–1907)
Cherokee Nation (1975–present)
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (1939–present)
James L. Gordon
John W. Hair
Other notable Cherokee