Bill John Baker is a fourth generation of Cherokee, born and raised in Cherokee County and the great-grandson of Nancy Walker Osage, an early Tahlequah business owner and Cherokee Healer. Nancy’s mother, Sarah Tackett was brought to Tahlequah Indian Territory by friends after her parents died on the “Trail of Tears”.

He and his wife Sherry have six children and nine grandchildren.

He is a Graduate of Tahlequah High School. He graduated from Northeastern State University in 1972 with degrees in Political Science and History in Education with minor in Psychology and Sociology.

Bill John has served on every standing committee for 12 years on the Tribal Council and was re-elected to a new 6 year term in June of 2007 before being elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 2011.