Cherokee chief to speak at Elmhurst

Leader of second-largest Native American tribe known for tribal rights advocacy work


ELMHURST, Ill., March, 2010 — Chadwick “Corntassel” Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and an impassioned advocate for Native American tribal rights, will present “Rebuilding the Cherokee Nation as a Society and Civilization: Lessons for All Governments” at Elmhurst College on Thursday, March 25.

A practicing attorney and legal scholar, Smith has fought for tribal sovereignty and stood up for American Indian rights for nearly two decades. Elected in 1999, Smith led the Cherokee Nation out of a time of turmoil, unrest and controversy into an era of cooperation and achievement while reaffirming the value of the spirit of “ga-du-gi,” or coming together to work for the greater good.

Smith will speak at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, on the Elmhurst College campus (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, elmhurst.edu/directions). The lecture is free and open to the public.

Smith and Elmhurst College President S. Alan Ray, who is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, have worked together recently on several issues related to tribal sovereignty and enhancing educational opportunities for Cherokee children. Ray hopes that Smith’s visit will enhance people’s understanding “of how the Cherokee Nation sees itself in history and envisions its future.”

“This will be a chance to ask the leader of the second-largest American Indian tribe in the country what it means to be a Native American and, more specifically, what it means to be a Cherokee citizen in the 21st century.”

Prior to his service as Principal Chief, Smith taught Indian law at Dartmouth College, Northeastern State University and Rogers State University. He has written college curriculum in tribal operations and authored a course book on Cherokee legal history.

Smith’s talk at Elmhurst College is part of the Rudolf G. Schade Lecture series and is sponsored by Harris Bank. This lecture series was created by Elmhurst College alumni in honor of Dr. Rudolf G. Schade, one of the College’s best-loved professors.



Elmhurst College is a premier comprehensive college located 15 miles west of Chicago. The College’s mission is to prepare its students for meaningful and ethical work in a multicultural, global society. Approximately 3,300 full- and part-time students are enrolled in its 22 undergraduate academic departments and nine graduate degree programs.