Ross Swimmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross Swimmer
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| 4th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs | |
| In office 1985–1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Kenneth Smith |
| Succeeded by | Eddie Frank Brown |
| Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation | |
| In office 1975–1985 |
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| Deputy | Wilma Mankiller |
| Preceded by | W. W. Keeler |
| Succeeded by | Wilma Mankiller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 26, 1943 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Margaret Swimmer |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA, JD) |
Ross O. Swimmer, born on October 26, 1943, is an important leader for Native American communities. He served as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation for ten years. Later, he worked for the U.S. government to help Native American groups. He is a member of the Republican Party. Ross Swimmer has Cherokee heritage.
Early Life and Education
Ross Swimmer attended the University of Oklahoma. There, he earned two degrees. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor. A Juris Doctor degree means he became a lawyer.
Serving the Cherokee Nation and Beyond
Ross Swimmer is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He was elected as their Principal Chief in 1975. He served in this important role until 1985. As Principal Chief, he was the main leader for the Cherokee people.
In 1985, he took on a new role in the U.S. government. He became the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. This job was with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This bureau is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Bureau of Indian Affairs works to support Native American tribes. Wilma Mankiller, who was his Deputy Chief, became the next Principal Chief.
After his government service, Swimmer led a company called the Cherokee Group. This company helped Native American clients. They worked on government matters at state and federal levels. The Group also supported new businesses on Native American lands. He also helped create a self-help program. This program was for rural community development. He worked with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on this project.
Helping Native American Communities
From 2003 to 2009, Ross Swimmer served as the Special Trustee for American Indians. This role was at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Before that, in 2001, he was appointed to lead the Office of Indian Trust Transition. This office worked to improve how money and resources for Native American communities were managed. His goal was to make sure these financial processes were fair and clear.
