Joe Byrd (Cherokee Chief) - Principal Chief of The Cherokee Nation

Principal Chief of The Cherokee Nation

In 1995, after his main rival was disqualified, Joe Byrd was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, succeeding Wilma Mankiller. Byrd's four year term of office was marked by controversy and conflict. By late 1997, the conflict had escalated into a constitutional crisis for the Cherokee Nation. Settling the conflict required US government intervention via the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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