Cherokee Nation Chief Inauguration Day Is November 6th

Russell Hulstine, NewsOn6.com

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- Inauguration day for Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Elect Bill John Baker will be Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 2 p.m. in Tahlequah.

Chief Elect Baker made the announcement Monday and said the ceremony will take place at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah.

"I respectfully ask that all Cherokees join us for a celebration of our culture and our Nation," Baker said. "It's been a tough race and now we come together as one Nation as we are all from one fire."

Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters will serve as Master of Ceremonies and the event will feature the world renowned Cherokee Nation Youth Choir.

Baker says in an historic first, the three chiefs of Cherokee tribes will all be together for an Inauguration as Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Chief George Wickliffe of the United Keetoowah Band will attend.

"I'm blessed and honored I was entrusted to become Chief of our Nation. I ask that all who can attend the Inauguration Ceremony do and all who cannot pray for me and our Nation as we move forward," Bill John Baker said.

Earlier this month, the Cherokee Nation's Election Commission certified election results with Baker beating Chad Smith, 10,703 to 9,128.

10/11/2011 Related Story: Cherokee Election Commission Certifies Bill John Baker As Principal Chief