Notes from the Chief
By Bill John BakerPrincipal Chief, Cherokee Nation
cherokee.org Cherokee Nation remains committed to protecting our women and children from violence. As principal chief, I reinforced that dedication by creating the ONE FIRE program for survivors of domestic violence, and recently, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council passed laws that strengthen our ability to protect Native women and children within our own jurisdiction. The amended Titles 21 and 22 of the Cherokee Code Annotated allow the tribe to better enforce the Violence Against Women Act tribal-jurisdiction provisions aimed at preventing domestic abuse and violence against women and children on tribal reservations. These amendments authorize CN to prosecute non-Indians for domestic violence, dating violence or violations of protective orders within our jurisdiction. CN has the authority to hold offenders accountable for their crimes against women and children regardless of the perpetrator's race. This law will apply to a spouse or partner of a CN citizen or other tribal citizen with ties to our jurisdiction. The Tribal Council also modified Title 12 of the Cherokee Code Annotated, which gives Cherokee Nation District Court the expanded ability to issue and enforce protective orders for acts of domestic violence occurring within the tribe. The amendments enable our courts and marshals to combat domestic abuse more effectively. Native American women suffer from violent crime at some of the highest rates in the U.S. With non-Indians constituting a significant percent of the overall population living on tribal lands, it is imperative that we take this action to close the jurisdictional gap in Cherokee Nation. This will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of women and children within the 14 counties. I want to commend the CN Attorney General's office for working on this new law for more than two years, and the Tribal Council for taking this major step in flexing Cherokee Nation's sovereign muscle to bring justice to Native American victims. We will continue to offer programs and services that curb the rate of domestic abuse. Our people deserve to live healthy and secure lives within the Cherokee Nation. We have always looked at how our decisions will impact the next seven generations, and providing a safe future for our children and grandchildren is an important part of securing that future. Bill John Baker currently serves as the 17th elected chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. Born and raised in Cherokee County, he is married to Sherry (Robertson) Baker. Principal Chief Baker has devoted much of his life in service to the Cherokee people. He spent 12 years as a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and was elected Principal Chief in October 2011.
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