Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

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Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation is the title of the chief executive of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Prior to removal, a constitutional republic comprising three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial, had been formed by the Cherokee Nation. The Principal Chief was elected by the Council, which was the legislature of the Nation.

After removal to Indian Territory (today in Oklahoma), on the Trail of Tears, a new constitution was put into place, unifying the former Eastern Cherokee with the Western Cherokee, which allowed for direct election of the Principal Chief.

After Oklahoma statehood in 1907, the Chief of the Cherokee Nation came under appointment by the United States Federal Government. In the 1970s, the Cherokee people were again allowed to elect their own Principal Chief, and the first to be so elected was incumbent Chief W.W. Keeler, who had been appointed Chief by President Harry Truman in 1949.

[edit] List of Principal Chiefs

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