Okla. Governor appoints Tribal Councilor to Indian Education Advisory Council

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick has been appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to serve on the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.

“Anyone who has worked with Councilor Walkingstick knows he has a passion for education. I am pleased, but not at all surprised, that he was selected for this post,” Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said.

Walkingstick, 34, of Tahlequah, will serve on the 18-member council to make recommendations to the state board of education and the state superintendent of schools on issues affecting Native American students.

“It truly is an honor to receive this appointment from Governor Fallin. I thank my parents, elders, coaches, custodians and others who were all hands on deck in my life every day at Woodall and Tahlequah Sequoyah. They instilled the value of education at an early age,” said Walkingstick, who chairs the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council education committee. “The Cherokee Nation has an extensive history of promoting education and culture, and there is proven research that cultural inclusion, which is Native language and culture-enriched curriculum, boosts test scores. It’s very important that our Native American students walk in both worlds.”

Walkingstick currently serves as the federal programs director for Muskogee Public Schools. He oversees federal funding and compliance for the school district. Walkingstick is also a former teacher and athletic director for Bell Elementary School in Adair County.

“David Walkingstick is a dedicated educator and mentor to students,” Fallin said. “He has been heavily involved in Cherokee Nation issues through his work on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council.”

Walkingstick graduated from Sequoyah High School in 1999 being the first All-State basketball player in Sequoyah history. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s degree in school administration from East Central University in Ada. He has served on Tribal Council since 2011. He was also named a 2013 “Native American 40 Under 40” recipient by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.