404 Greenwood Drive
Tahlequah, OK 74464
E-Mail: jketcher@cherokee.org
My residence
is at 330 W. Keetoowah, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464. I live with my wife C. Colleen and our two dogs, Kanubi and Knipper. I am 11/16 Cherokee and speak the Cherokee language. My parents were Sallie Downing and Frank Ketcher, both Cherokee. I started school at Yonkers and attended Wagoner and Sequoyah Orphan Training School both elementary and high school. I have three years military experience in World War II. I served aboard the heavy cruiser, U.S.S. New Orleans, in the war against Japan as an anti-aircraft gunner. Some 16 years was spent in community work. Arts and crafts was the main focus and to develop local leadership to improve home living with yard care, garden and house.
What are your qualifications for this position
In addition to my community work experience I worked ten years at Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas as resident director with three assistants and 135 students. I was director of student activities and resident living at Concho Indian School at El Reno, Oklahoma with a staff of ten and 250 students...Served two years on Cherokee tribal council and ten years as Deputy Principal Chief for the Cherokee Nation.
What is the role of tribal council, in general and in relation to other tribal branches of government
The role of the tribal council is legislate laws of the Nation. Laws may be initiated by the executive or the legislative branch of government. All budgets and funding bills are to be approved by the council. The Chief can approve or veto a bill, but council can over-ride the veto by a 2/3 vote, assuring the checks and balances of a three branch government. Tribal council is equal to the executive and judicial branch of the government with responsibilities particular to that branch.
Why do you believe you can make a difference and what are the top priorities of your campaign platform
A. Years of experience in working with people of all ages and the respect I have for them. My sense of fair-play for all would be a good start.
B. Accountability for tribal and federal funds.
C. Truthful and openness in government to earn trust and respect.
D. Review and improve conditions of rank and file employees.
E. Work with Cherokee Heritage Center and provide support.
F. Conduct a study to preserve and improve Cherokee historic buildings and sites.
What are the biggest problems facing the Cherokee people today and what solution(s) do you propose
The constitutional crisis that has divided our people. I will propose or support legislation to remove or assess punishment for officers of Cherokee Nation that blatantly ignore the Constitution and the laws of the Nation. Why have a Constitution if officials of Cherokee Nation are going to ignore it?
During the 1999 Elections, a candidate questionnaire was given to the
candidates addressing the following questions:
- What are your qualifications for this position
- What is the role of tribal council, in general and in relation to other
tribal branches of government
- Why do you believe you can make a difference and what are the top
priorities of your campaign platform
- What are the biggest problems facing the Cherokee people today and what
solution(s) do you propose
To see the responses to those questions, please follow this link:
http://www.cherokee.org/TribalGovernment/Elections99Page.asp?ID=e99election