Lindsey Bark
Cherokee Phoenix
TAHLEQUAH – As March marks Women’s History Month, the women of the Cherokee Nation workforce are recognized for their everyday work with the Cherokee people.
Within Cherokee Nation tribal government employment, women make up 70 percent of the workforce with 11 holding executive director positions, one as Sequoyah High School Principal, one as Supreme Court Justice and one as Cherokee Nation District Court judge.
Cherokees are traditionally matrilineal people, and it is important for tribal leaders to continue to recognize women’s roles today as they serve other Cherokees.
Samantha Hendricks is the executive director of Human Resources at Cherokee Nation. She began her journey in 2004 as the HR manager for Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
“I continued on a progressive career path and was promoted to senior manager of Human Resources and then HR director,” Hendricks said. “I transitioned to Cherokee Nation Businesses as HR director in 2016 and started my new role as executive director of HR in October 2021 with Cherokee Nation. I’m currently responsible for strategic oversight and leading the Cherokee Nation HR Department.”
Jerri Killer is the interim executive director for the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, a role she has held since November 2020.
“I oversee the day-to-day operations for the HACN – which includes a staff of 230 employees and 20 offices across the Cherokee Nation reservation,” Killer said. “I also serve as a member-at-large on the Southern Plains Indian Housing Association Executive Committee as well as the Region 4 Representative on the AMERIND Board of Directors, representing tribes from east Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.”
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In both of their roles, Hendricks and Killer serve the Cherokee people with employment and housing opportunities.
Hendricks said she never imagined that starting her career with the tribe 18 years ago would lead her to where she is today.
“The ability to touch so many employees and give back to my tribe has been an incredible journey,” Hendricks said. “Being a part of the journey has allowed me to help so many Cherokee citizens throughout my career, those who were promoted into career advancing positions and those who continued to advance in their current role. There are so many employees who have aspirations and dreams, if we can just harness a small portion of this, it will make a major impact for the Cherokee Nation.”
Killer, citing Abraham Maslow, said shelter is one of the basic human needs.
“In my role at HACN, every day we are assisting Cherokee citizens with that need,” Killer said. “When a Cherokee citizen has decent, safe and sanitary housing, they’re able to continue in the development of their own abilities. Having a home to feel safe in provides for stronger individuals and stronger families, which in turn creates stronger communities.”
She said while housing needs might seems basic, they are the foundation of “creating successful communities and a stronger tribe.”
Killer said there is an importance in holding on to the history of Cherokee women and their roles within the tribe.
“In the 1700s, the power of Cherokee women came to light when Europeans were astonished to see Cherokee women were the equals of men politically, economically and theologically,” she said. “Cherokee women’s close association with nature, as mothers and producers, served as a basis of their power within the tribe, not one of oppression.”
Killer said though the concept of matrilineal structure was hard to comprehend, there has been a loss of equality and reverence to it, especially with the introduction of boarding schools that aided in removing that reverence.
“If we are to be truly sovereign and ensure our heritage and culture continue for generations, then it is crucial that more women serve as leaders,” Killer said. “We were equal historically, and it is time that we become strong, equal partners in our roles in government and as leaders. We are not merely confined to the domestic sphere, but are powerful, uninhibited, breadwinning Cherokee women.”
Killer said it is an honor for her to be able to serve in her executive leadership role. Hendricks shares the sentiment.
“I believe it is important to be in a leadership role with my tribe and to serve as a role model for others,” Hendricks said. “I want to continue to offer guidance to Cherokee individuals in their career journey and to mentor them into successful individuals to serve the Cherokee Nation.”
