Bill John Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill John Baker
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Baker in 2013
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| 7th Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation | |
| In office October 19, 2011 – August 14, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Crittenden (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Chuck Hoskin Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 9, 1952 Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sherry Robertson |
| Education | Northeastern State University (BA) |
Bill John Baker (born February 9, 1952) is a Cherokee leader. He served as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, which is like being the president of the Cherokee government. He was first elected in October 2011. Before becoming Chief, Baker worked for 12 years on the Cherokee Tribal Council, helping make decisions for his people.
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Early Life and Education
Bill John Baker was born in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. His family has lived there for many generations. He is part Cherokee, like many citizens of the Cherokee Nation. He finished Tahlequah High School in 1969. In 1972, he earned a bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University. He studied political science and history.
Business Career
After college, Baker started a furniture store called Baker Furniture. He made it a very successful business in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He also owns several buildings that he rents out in Tahlequah.
Community Involvement
While running his businesses, Baker was also very active in his community. He was the president of the PTA, which helps parents and teachers. He coached youth sports teams. He also helped start the Rotary Club in his area. As the elected president of the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, he helped the organization get out of debt.
Political Journey
Bill John Baker served for 12 years on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. This council helps make important decisions for the Cherokee people. During his time on the council, he worked on many different committees. He supported programs for education, community growth, and health care for Cherokee citizens.
Running for Chief
In 2011, Baker decided to run for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He ran against Chad Smith, who had been Chief for 12 years. The first election was very close. The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court decided a second election was needed. This special election happened on September 24, 2011.
More people voted in the special election, nearly 20,000 in total. Baker won this election by over 1,500 votes. He received almost 54 percent of all the votes.
Supporting President Obama
In 2012, Baker supported President Barack Obama for reelection. Baker said that Obama was "the best president for Indian country in the history of the United States."
Key Accomplishments as Chief
After becoming Principal Chief, Bill John Baker made many important changes. He focused on improving health care, creating jobs, and preserving the Cherokee language.
Improving Health Care
One of Baker's first actions was to sell the Cherokee Nation's private plane. He used the money from the sale to help pay for health care for Cherokee citizens. In March 2013, he announced a huge investment of $100 million from Cherokee Nation Businesses' profits. This money was used to expand health care services. It helped build new health facilities and reduce wait times for tribal citizens. The Cherokee Nation health care system is the largest one run by a tribe in the United States.
Creating Jobs and Homes
Creating good jobs was a top goal for Baker. During his first year in office, 750 new Cherokee people were hired. In 2012, a new casino opened in Ramona, Oklahoma. All of its employees were Cherokee citizens. Baker also restarted the Cherokee Nation's housing program in 2012. This program helped Cherokee citizens own their own homes, which had not happened for over ten years.
Economic Growth
In 2013, Baker announced that the Cherokee Nation and its businesses had a record-breaking year. They had a $1.3 billion impact on Oklahoma's economy. A study showed that the tribe's activities supported over 14,000 jobs. They also provided more than $559 million in income payments.
Supporting Education
Under Baker's leadership, the Cherokee Nation increased funding for college scholarships. This helped more Cherokee citizens go to college and achieve their dreams.
Preserving the Cherokee Language
Baker made preserving and promoting the Cherokee language a high priority. He spoke about the importance of the Cherokee Language Immersion School for young children. He also mentioned the Cherokee Speaker's Bureau, where elders can gather and speak the language. The Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council launched the "Gen-I Cherokee Language 2020 Challenge." This challenge encouraged all Cherokee citizens to speak or learn the language daily. It aimed to increase the number of Cherokee speakers by 2020. The language is now available on many smartphones and computers, making it easier to learn.
Personal Life
Bill John Baker married Susan Elizabeth "Beth" Hulcher on August 1, 1977. They had three daughters and two sons. Beth passed away on April 28, 1995. Later, he married Sherry Jean Robertson. They live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Baker is a member of the Baptist Church.
