Chief: Cherokee Nation prospers

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Principal Chief Bill John Baker begins his speech while Tommy Wildcat plays a flute in the background. Special photo by Travis Sloat

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September 2, 2012

Chief: Cherokee Nation prospers

State of Nation speech calls for tribal unity

By Travis Sloat Phoenix Correspondent The Muskogee Phoenix Sun Sep 02, 2012, 12:49 AM CDT

— Principal Chief Bill John Baker was full of emotion Saturday afternoon as he spoke to the Cherokee people in the annual State of the Nation address.

Baker expressed his pride in the fact that Cherokees across the world are unified and stronger than ever.

“I’m proud to stand before you today and tell you that the Cherokee Nation isn’t just merely existing, we are prospering, and we’re just getting started,” Baker said.

Baker’s speech was part of an event that included the singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by the Cherokee National Youth Choir, a performance by national recording artist Becky Hobbs, and an opening blessing by the Cherokee spiritual leader, Crosslin Fields Smith.

Henryetta Rose-Carrier, a member of the Pocahontas Club, said this was her first time at the address, and felt like Baker has accomplished a lot in his first year.

“I’m very pleased,” Rose-Carrier said. “I think he is representing the entire Nation very well. I am particularly impressed with the health care the Nation provides.”

Before Baker addressed the crowd, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., spoke a few words about the rise of tribal economies and the impact that they have statewide.

“The Cherokee Nation has over a billion dollar impact on the Oklahoma economy,” Cole said. “There are 14,000 direct and indirect jobs. It’s an extraordinary accomplishment. The tribal economies have made Oklahoma prosperous today in a way that has not been seen in our history.”

After Cole left the stage, Deputy Principal Chief S. Joe Crittenden took the stage to introduce Baker. He remarked that the chief starts his day early and is still working after most have returned home for the evening.

Baker’s speech was interrupted often with applause and encompassed topics such as the election controversy last year and the selling of the Nation’s private plane to help fund more programs that benefit the people.

His voice broke as he introduced the recipient of one of those programs, Rae Wacoche.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Rae when she joined our day training program,” Baker said. “She lost her husband in 2000, and as a single mother of five kids, she found job hunting difficult. She was placed in my front office, and today, Rae is a full-time employee. She is one of the first friendly faces you see when you come in.”

Maggie Parker, a registered nurse at W.W. Hastings Hospital, was invited to the address for saving the life a 17-year-old Cherokee girl at the scene of a car wreck. Parker said she was in awe of the tenderness and sincerity Baker displayed.

“This is my first experience with the address,” Parker said. “I think society could benefit by using the Cherokee Nation as an example. It was more than an honor to be invited to take part in this today. I’ve dedicated my life to the Cherokee people and their health.”

Baker concluded his address by restating his call for unity.

“We are brothers and sisters,” Baker said. “We share the same heritage, culture and language. Even though we have our differences, I will always extend my hand in friendship and my heart in goodwill, because we are all one. We all come from one fire.”

Rose-Carrier said though the whole address was wonderful, Baker’s kind words stuck out to her the most.

“Who can complain about all these good things?” Rose-Carrier said. “As long as we keep moving this direction, I’ll be pleased.”