Victoria Vazquez

Victoria Vazquez is a Cherokee Nation artist and politician who served on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council from 2013 to 2024. She was named a Cherokee National Treasure in 2012.

Victoria Vazquez
Deputy Speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
In office September 14, 2015 – August 29, 2024
Preceded by	Janelle Fullbright
Succeeded by	TBD
Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for the 11th district
In office October 22, 2013 – August 29, 2024
Preceded by	Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Succeeded by	TBD
Personal details
Citizenship	American Cherokee Nation
Parent	Anna Sixkiller Mitchell (mother)
Awards	Cherokee National Treasure

Early life and artistic career

Victoria Mitchell was born to Anna Sixkiller Mitchell and Robert Clay Mitchell. Her mother was a Cherokee artist credited with reviving traditional Southeastern Woodlands-style pottery. Victoria was awarded a Smithsonian Native Arts Fellowship in 2005 and her work is displayed National Museum of the American Indian. She was named a Cherokee National Treasure in 2012 for her traditional pottery.^[1] She worked as a self-employed potter and pottery teacher for twenty years before running for office.^[2]

Cherokee Nation tribal council

In August 2013, Chuck Hoskin Jr. resigned from the Cherokee Nation tribal council's 11th district seat to serve as the Nation's Secretary of State. Vazquez ran in the October special election for the seat against Dana Jim and Lana Morris Daugherty.^[3] She won the special election and was sworn in on October 22, 2013.^[4][5] On September 14, 2015, she was sworn in as the deputy speaker of the Cherokee Nation tribal council after being elected by fellow councillors the month prior.^[6][7] She was re-elected without opposition in 2017 after her only opponent to file was disqualified by the Cherokee Nation Election Commission and sworn in for a second term on August 14.^[8] She was re-elected deputy speaker of the tribal council on August 15, 2017.^[9] In 2021 she won re-election with 63% of the vote beating Mike Purcell, Randy Junior White, and Mason Hudson.^[10] She was re-elected as deputy speaker again in 2021.^[11] She resigned on August 29, 2024.^[12]

References

1. Chavez, Will (September 5, 2012). "3 named 2012 Cherokee National Treasures". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
2. Kidd, Chandler (August 21, 2017). "Vazquez begins 2nd stint on Tribal Council". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
3. Murphy, Jami (10 September 2013). "3 vie for Dist. 11 Tribal Council seat". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
4. Murphy, Jami (October 13, 2013). "Vazquez wins Dist. 11 Tribal Council seat". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
5. Murphy, Jami (October 23, 2013). "Vazquez sworn in as Dist. 11 councilor". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
6. Chavez, Will (August 18, 2015). "Councilors select new committee chairs and co-chairs". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
7. Chavez, Will (September 15, 2015). "Administration, council officials take oaths of office". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
8. "Vazquez retains Dist. 11 seat". Cherokee Phoenix. June 4, 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
9. Bark, Lindsey (August 17, 2017). "Tribal Council speaker, deputy speaker sworn in". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
10. Rowley, D. Sean (June 6, 2021). "Vazquez retains Dist. 11 post with 63% of vote". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
11. "Cherokee Nation Tribal Council elects speaker, deputy speaker, secretary positions". Tahlequah Daily Press. August 31, 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
12. "Deputy Speaker Victoria Vazquez announces resignation from Council". cherokeephoenix.org. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-09-08.