Audra Smoke-Connor District 1

Tribal Council District 1

Audra Smoke-Conner

8509 Hwy 82
Hulbert, OK 74441
Home: 918-598-3866
Cell: 918-822-7928
Email: Audra-Smoke-Conner@cherokee.org

Residence and family information: “Cherokee County has been my home since 1986 when I moved to Tahlequah to begin my college education. My husband, D.J. Conner, and I have been members of the Peggs community for the past 10 years. We have a son, Trey, age 10, and two daughters Lynsey, age 7, and Macey, 17 months old. As a family we enjoy going to rodeos, powwows, stomp dances, sporting events and riding four-wheelers. During the summer, swimming is our favorite family past time. I grew up in the small community of Spavinaw, in Mayes County, the only child of my parents Terri Stoner and William and Deborah Smoke.”

Education: “I graduated from Ketchum High School, where I played basketball, was cheerleader, served as student council president, was named Miss KHS and Who’s Who Most Outgoing. I completed my bachelor’s degree in mass communications at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and graduated with my master’s degree in student services in May 2000.”

“My experience has been broad and diverse within the Cherokee National tribal government work environment, with other government entities, and in the community. As Miss Cherokee 1988-1989, I served as a national goodwill ambassador representing the Cherokee. I was a founding member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council. As a Cherokee Nation employee I worked with committees on health, child welfare and tribal services. For 12 years I have served as lead guidance specialist for Educational Talent Search, a federally funded program. Through my work I have been involved with our state and regional organizations. I serve on conference planning committees and as a workshop presenter. For several years I have chaired a state scholarship committee. I coordinate activities with school administrators, colleges and universities and area businesses. I have been chosen as a commencement speaker, served as a pageant emcee, and had the honor of serving as head lady dancer for powwows. I have been a volunteer with the Cherokee Challenge Bowl, have served on the Miss Cherokee Advisory Board, the Cherokee Nation Youth Fair Chance Transition Advisory Committee and the Cherokee Nation Voter Registration Education Committee.”

“In my opinion, the role of the Tribal Council is to establish laws and make decisions that are beneficial to the citizens of its nation. Its purpose is to determine a balance between the executive and judicial branches. It is also the responsibility of the council to make certain that laws and resolutions passed are within constitutional boundaries. The role of the council in its communication with the executive branch is to be supportive as well as objective. Furthermore, I feel it is the responsibility of the Tribal Council to promote the culture, heritage and traditions of the Cherokee Nation. A Tribal Council member should be responsible, ethical, intuitive and faithful to the position they hold.”

“My concerns and goals for the Cherokee Nation are health care issues and more specifically contract health. Housing needs are at the top of my priority list as well as continued scholarships for higher education. I will support employment opportunities for our citizens because jobs help ensure a healthy economy. Community self-help programs are needed to teach responsibility rather than dependency. Promoting our language and culture is important to the preservation of our traditions and heritage. I would like to provide a positive link between our communities and the Cherokee Nation, and to make certain that accurate information is shared. I will be an advocate for the concerns and needs of Cherokee citizens. Educating our children is essential for the future of our nation; therefore, I will support programs that promote maximum learning experiences. Finally, I feel that it is important for our young people to have positive role models for the growth and development of our future leaders, especially our young females. I want to encourage in young people those qualities which will allow them to take leadership roles in the years to come.”

“I feel that one of the biggest challenges facing the Cherokee Nation today is the lack of accurate information that tribal members receive. There are many misconceptions about how funding is appropriated and how the Cherokee Nation actually works on many different levels. Cherokee citizens in the communities do not always have the correct understanding of how or why funds are provided for one project and not another. Basic information about programs and funding sources needs to be provided to Cherokee citizens throughout the 14-county area. One way I propose to address this issue is to hold community meetings on a regular basis so that those who have questions or concerns can voice them. Another way is to call upon community leaders to help keep the lines of communication open. Very often Cherokee citizens call their Tribal Council representatives about concerns, but do not receive adequate explanations, if they get a response at all.

I feel very strongly that if people had the correct information and understanding there would be a lot less criticism and negativity and a great deal more pride and productivity.”