RT 2 Box 489
Salina, OK 74365
E-Mail: jkeener@cherokee.org
1. Personal Background:
4/4 degree Cherokee, bilingual. Education: 3 years of high school at Chilocco Indian School and graduated from Locust Grove High School after serving two years in the Navy.
Retired from McDonell Douglas in Tulsa. Wife Patsy. Five children: John Jr., Rodney, Ladney, Rhonda Cole and Becky Carlile. Served several years on JOM and Title IV Indian Education committees. Active member of the Ballou Baptist Church.
2. What are your qualifications for this position?
I know the people and their concerns. I'm willing to work for the Cherokee people every day.
3. What is the role of the tribal council, in general, and in relation to the other branches of government?
The tribal council makes the laws and serves as the people's branch. The laws passed by the council are placed in effect by the executive branch and may be judged by the judicial branch.
4. Why do you believe you can make a difference and what are the top priorities of your campaign platform?
I believe that I can represent the people by attending meetings, having meetings in my district and taking the people's concerns back to the council. I want to improve communication with Cherokee elders and work to improve health care.
5. What are the biggest problems facing the Cherokee people today and what solution(s) do you propose?
I feel the lack of unity. How do we unite? We have to stay united as a tribe. We are one people. We need to come together and voice our concerns. We can only unite if we truly care for one another as a tribe, that will make our Cherokee Nation government work as it was created.
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