Media Contact: Nedra Darling, OPA-IA Phone: 202-219-4152
For Immediate Release: October 20, 2011

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk issued the following statement today on the election of the new Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation:

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Bill John Baker as he is officially sworn in to the position of the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. I also congratulate the citizens of the Cherokee Nation whose actions have honored and upheld the democratic ideals of the Nation. I look forward to working with the Cherokee Nation on a government-to-government basis to strengthen our relationship and meet the Nation’s goals for a prosperous future.”