Criteria For Chiefs
NOTE: Although most often during the time before contact with the Spanish or the Europeans, and also during the time of the dispersal era, our leaders have more often been women, any office of a chief could be held by either man or woman, and many women were chiefs before the first encounter with the Europeans, very few leaders were men prior to that tragic encounter.
From the time of encounter with the English to the time of the removal era, men were more often recognized for that position. We encourage our people to select the best person for the job from among our women first, but if necessary, to select a man for leadership.
Character: a chief should display honesty, integrity in every decision. She should lead by example in the areas of generosity and hospitality.
Deportment-- a chief should conduct herself with the utmost respect for her heritage and herself and for the people she serves.
Designation - each community chief must meet with the state chapter council and be approved by them for service.
All leaders in any position or at any level of government are to live exemplary lives and to serve as models for our members.
All members are to refrain from the recreational use of tobacco and to refrain from the recreational use of herbs, pharmaceuticals and medicines. We follow the teachings of the prophet Yonaguska. Our members shall not consume alcoholic beverages at any time. Those who engage in these are to be confronted by the members of their local community and reprimanded. If they continue to participate in their consumption the local council may impose a fine. Subsequent violations or if the usage is determined to be egregious may be valid grounds for the member to be expelled from membership. Our leaders are to set the correct example.
All members are to remain active participants in the culture. They are to attend monthly prayer circles and or potlucks, to attend and support community Gatiyo (stomp) and they are to celebrate the festivals of our people. All members are encouraged to use Cherokee as their language whenever possible even if it is only through the use of a few words.
Failure to participate in the culture may be determined by the local community to be valid grounds for the member to be expelled from membership. Once a local council has made this determination, this must be ratified by the state council who will also determine whether such a removal from membership is to be permanent or until the person can be rehabilitated.
