MIAMI, OK – The Shawnee Tribe’s 2024 General Council and Election Weekend included a hawikeepicika kiskotaawe (“ribbon-cutting”) and open house for the new Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika (“language house”), a community dinner and stomp dance, as well as the annual meeting of the Shawnee Tribal Council and Business Council election. Citizens had the opportunity to meet administrative and tribal service programs staff, collect raffle prizes, and hear reports on the past 12 months of happenings of the tribe.
2024 Election
The absentee voting process began in April and closed on September 19. Early in-person voting took place on September 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the polls were open on election day from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Citizens who voted in person received a “niila nikitateniwe (I Voted)” sticker.
Business Council election results were announced during the tribal council meeting by Election Committee Chairperson, Cindy Witherspoon. The results were uncontested. They are posted at the Shawnee governmental buildings for 30 days and will be permanently filed in the Shawnee Tribal Court Clerk’s office. A copy of the Certified Consolidated Election Return has been mailed to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Official Election Results
- Secretary (4-year term)
- Jana Edwards-Johnson – 26%
- Carolyn Foster (I) – 74%
- Business Council Seat 3 (4-year term)
- Morris Bluejacket – 25%
- Drew Dixon – 35%
- Gregory Jones – 17%
- Elena Staubus – 23%
- The following two races were unopposed. At the conclusion of the candidate filing period, these individuals were declared the winners and did not appear on the ballot.
- Second Chief, 1-year term – Roy Baldridge (I)
- Business Council Seat 4, 4-year term – Corey Winesburg (I)
