During the decade Ross Swimmer served as principal chief, the Cherokee Nation took many steps toward becoming the major entity it is today, a student of Swimmer’s work said Thursday. Dr. Jody Sunday Kehle spoke about Swimmer’s leadership during the State of Sequoyah Conference at Northeastern State University, which has become one of the traditional kickoffs to the Cherokee National Holiday. Principal Chief Chad Smith said the conference is designed to explore issues affecting the past, present and future of the Cherokees.
