Tribal Council District 2
S. Joe Crittenden
RR 03 Box 2363
Stilwell, OK 74960
Home: (918) 778-3404
Email: Joe-Crittenden@cherokee.org
Residence and family information: Stilwell, Oklahoma. Married 34 years, Wife Lynda. Two Daughters, Paula Unger of Westville, Okla. and Christy Stopp of Sand Springs, Okla. Two grandsons, Caden and Ty Unger of Westville, Okla. Son of Gilbert and Berthal Crittenden of Stilwell, Okla. Two brothers, Paul Crittenden and Mitch Crittenden. Three sisters, Sue Setser, Shirley Fletcher and Karen Hooper.
Education: Graduated from Stilwell High School in 1962. Graduated from Northeastern State University in 1974 with a BS degree in business administration and accounting.
Describe the leadership experience you would bring to the Tribal Council.
“I began as a clerk in the U.S. Post Office in Westville over 25 years ago. I then moved to the Marble City Post Office as postmaster for 5 years during which time I was also officer in charge of the Roland Post Office until an incoming postmaster was appointed. I have been the postmaster for the Stillwell Post Office for the past 17 years during which time I also served as officer in charge of the Sallisaw office until the postmaster was appointed. I am a certified trainer/facilitator for the Postal Service. I served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 through 1967, including active duty in Viet Nam. I have served on the school boards at Marble City and Peavine. I was appointed commissioner for the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation by Chief Mankiller and reappointed by Chief Byrd. I am a rancher and small businessman. I have been an active member of Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Mid County Fire Department and member of Baron Baptist Church.”
Describe the role of the office for which you are a candidate in relation to the other branches of the Cherokee government.
“The council is the legislative branch of the Cherokee Nation that develop and author the laws within the tribe. The judicial branch interprets the laws and the executive branch administrates the services to the Cherokee people within the law. The council also appropriates all funds and is a monitor within our government that ultimately reviews audits to determine the efficiency of the administration. As your councilman I will be available to my constituents so I can assess the priorities and needs of the people in my district and place my vote accordingly.”
What are your priorities for the Cherokee Nation?
“My priorities will be healthcare, housing, education of our youth to promote a better quality of life and self-sufficiency, economic development to create new jobs for our people and the environmental issues that may face my district because of the landfill. I will always promote heritage and culture, care for our elders and honor to our ancestors. As a former commissioner for the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, I bring experience and insight to the Tribal Council. Without doubt, I want to see politics taken out of housing and see that they are returned as the recipient of HUD funds. Construction of new homes creates an enormous amount of jobs for our people and I will encourage stringent adherence and implementation of Indian preference in our contractual bidding and employment base throughout the Cherokee Nation. In District 2 there are around 500 people who are presently on the waiting list, not counting those who may have given up the wait and those who have yet to sign up. I have genuine concerns for the housing authority employees and with rumors of impending layoffs. I will strive to see that the services to the people do not suffer.”
What is the biggest challenge facing the Cherokee Nation today and how do you plan on solving it?
“Healthcare is the biggest challenge facing our government. I will be a strong advocate for everything that leads to better healthcare for our people. I would like to see more benefits directed towards the elderly, those unemployed and those that have no health coverage. I would also encourage a study to see the feasibility of a full coverage healthcare plan for all Cherokee people. I will always be available to my constituents.”