Native America Calling: Native women making leadership gains

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Native America Calling: Native women making leadership gains

Monday, September 15, 2025

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Native women making leadership gains

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians just elected four women to what had been an all-male tribal council on the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina.

Meanwhile, over in Oklahoma, the Seminole Nation just installed women in their top two leadership positions for the first time in history. But as with the general population, Native women lag behind men when it comes to elected political power.

The non-profit RepresentWomen finds Native women have a slightly higher average representation on tribal councils than non-Native women on local municipal elected bodies. Tune in to talk with some Native women about their progress in tribal and community leadership.

Guests on Native America Calling

Shelly Fyant (Bitterroot Salish), former Chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana and Democratic member of Montana House of Representatives, serving district 91

Shennelle Feather (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), Councilwoman-elect for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina

Shannon Swimmer (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), Councilwoman-elect for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina

Michelle Paulene Abeyta (Diné), Democratic member of New Mexico House of Representatives, serving district 69