It’s election year again in the Cherokee Nation, but every year’s an election year somewhere and democracy is not a spectator sport. You either roll up your pants legs and wade in political waste products or you let others make critical decisions for your life.

This is an off year, meaning the Principal Chief is not up, and therefore it’s arguable that nobody outside the Cherokee Nation ought to care. I disagree and suggest that all of Indian country should care about the process, if not the candidates.

My own choice is that I must vote to select an “at large” member of the Tribal Council, one who represents those we call “outlanders,” persons living outside what was our rez before the US stole it.