Melvina Shotpouch

Melvina Shotpouch
Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor
Assumed office
August 14, 2021
Preceded byHarley Buzzard
Constituency10th district
In office
1999–2007
Succeeded byHarley Buzzard
Constituency5th district
In office
1991–1995
Succeeded byBarbara Starr Scott
Personal details
CitizenshipAmerican
Cherokee Nation

Melvina Shotpouch is a Cherokee Nation politician who has served on the Cherokee Nation tribal council since 2021. She served three prior terms on the council from 1991 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2007.

Biography

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Melvina Shotpouch was first elected during the tenure of Wilma Mankiller in 1991 and served until 1995. She was re-elected in 1999 to a second term.[1] Shotpouch was re-elected in 2003 alongside Linda Hughes O'Leary to represent the multi-member district 5 of the Cherokee Nation tribal council.[2] She ran for re-election in 2007, but lost re-election to Harley Buzzard.[3][4] She filed to run for the 10th district in 2013, but was disqualified from running for living 1000 feet outside the district.[5] When Buzzard was term limited in 2021 Shotpouch filed to succeed them representing the 10th district.[6] After a June general election, she advanced to a July runoff with Shaunda Handle-Davis.[7] She won the runoff election with 58.8% of the vote and was sworn in on August 14, 2021.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Bark, Lindsey (September 6, 2021). "Shotpouch returns for 4th term on Tribal Council". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  2. ^ Chavez, Will (June 5, 2023). "Grayson, Chapman in runoff". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. ^ Snell, Travis (March 12, 2007). "45 candidates file for 19 seats". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  4. ^ Good Voice, Christina (August 16, 2007). "Outgoing councilors bid farewell". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ^ Murphy, Jami (April 24, 2013). "EC rules Shotpouch as ineligible candidate". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ Hunter, Chad (February 5, 2021). "Crowded field in Tribal Council races as filing period ends". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  7. ^ Hunter, Chad (June 6, 2021). "Handle-Davis, Shotpouch top Dist. 10 race". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ^ Tomlinson, Joe (28 July 2021). "Cherokee Nation runoff: Two candidates request recounts, consider challenges". NonDoc. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  9. ^ Rowley, D. Sean (August 17, 2021). "9 Cherokee Nation councilors take oath of office during ceremony". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.