Tribal Council

In the early 1600's the basic political unit of the Cherokee was the town. A town consisted of all the people who used a single ceremonial center. Within each town, a council handled political affairs. The Cherokee tribe consisted of a number of politically independent towns held together by a common culture, language and history. No formal political mechanism existed on the tribal level.

The Cherokee national capitol was located at Echota in what is now Tennessee. It was situated on a high mound and was a huge heptagon-shaped building where all festivals were celebrated, major war parties assembled before going off to war, and from where a measure of control was dispensed to the entire nation.

The Cherokee council was comprised of a representative body of the clan system or social order. In effect, it gave everyone in the community a voice in the national government. When needed, the local council representatives served on the national council, also giving the local community a voice in the national government.

Today, the Legislative Branch consists of the 15-member Tribal Council elected to represent nine districts of the Cherokee Nation. The Tribal Council initiates legislation and conducts other business which will further the interests of the Cherokee Nation and its membership.  The other business which will further the interests of the Cherokee Nation and its membership. The Deputy Chief presides over the Council as its president. Tribal Council terms are four years.

---

Tribal Council 2007

Tribal Council 2003

Tribal Council 1999