Rules Committee of the Council of the Cherokee Nation approves Kendra McGeady to fill District 11 Vacancy

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Rules Committee of the Council of the Cherokee Nation approved Thursday Vinita resident and Cherokee Nation citizen Kendra McGeady to fill the vacant District 11 seat.

"I appreciate the confidence the committee has shown in me," said McGeady. "I look forward to the Council considering my nomination at its full meeting in September and I look forward to serving my constituents."

If confirmed, McGeady will complete the remainder of Victoria Vazquez' term ending August 14, 2025. District 11 includes Craig County as well as northern Mayes and Nowata Counties.

Vazquez, who serves as the Council's Deputy Speaker, announced her resignation on August 1. Her resignation was effective August 29 at noon just ahead of the Rules committee meeting.

Deputy Speaker Vazquez' August 1 announcement triggered a series of public announcements seeking applicants for the position, including a formal public notice on August 14.

McGeady is the director of transit for Pelivan Transit and the Northeast Oklahoma Tribal Transit Consortium and former director of planning and development for Home of Hope in Vinita.

Under the Cherokee Nation Constitution, vacancies on the Council less than a year prior to the end of a term require that the Council appoint a new member to complete the term.

"I applaud my colleagues for undertaking the challenging and rarely necessary process of appointing an individual to complete a term of office," said Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh. "Councilor Vazquez has served her constituents so well and I am confident when the process is complete in September that her successor will also serve well."

In related action, the Council selected Kevin Easley as Deputy Speaker of the Council to fill the officer vacancy created by Deputy Speaker Vazquez' resignation.

Final action on McGeady appointment as District 11 council member and Easley selection as Deputy Speaker will be on the Council'a regular meeting agenda on September 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.