Biography
Byrd was born in Muldrow, Oklahoma and raised in the rural community of Nicut, Oklahoma. He is the son of Lillian Byrd and Stand Watie Byrd. He is also the father of three children, Joseph Byrd, Candice Byrd, and Julia Byrd.
Joe Byrd attended Northeastern State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1978 and a master’s in guidance counseling administration in 1979. He subsequently worked in the field of Indian education. During his career prior to becoming Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Joe Byrd served as the education coordinator for the Cross Cultural Education Center, was a field specialist for the Cherokee Nation Education Department and bilingual educator and coach at Bell Community Public School. He also served as a counselor at Stilwell High School.
Joe Byrd has been actively involved in numerous organizations specifically dealing with Native American issues, including the Cherokee Baptist Association, Native American Diabetes Association, National Indian Education Association, Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education, Drug Free for Youth program and Inter-tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes.
Joe Byrd was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating to the Oklahoma Native Culture Board, where he served two terms. He also held an appointment to the Planning Committee of the National Indian Policy Center in Washington, D.C. He has served as Vice President of the Cherokee Nation Higher Education Foundation. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Native American Diabetes Association.
Read more about this topic: Joe Byrd (Cherokee Chief)
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