Chadwick Smith

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About The Author

Chadwick Smith

Principal Chief Chad Smith, the former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, is a soft-spoken strategic thinker who has been a powerful force in building businesses and working toward self-sufficient Native American nations. Smith is a visionary leader with a list of unprecedented accomplishments. He looks ahead, knowing that the decisions we make today must serve our children and our children’s children 100 years from now. During his tenure as Principal Chief from 1999-2011, the Cherokee Nation grew its assets from $150 million to $1.2 billion, increased healthcare services from $18 million to $310 million, created 6,000 jobs and advanced education, language and cultural preservation dramatically. Chief Smith’s success is a direct result of his principle-based leadership organization and his “Point A to Point B” leadership model.

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Cherokee Nation Proceed Undaunted

A legal commentary on Cherokee Nation’s constitutional history, violations, corruption, and moments of hope for the Cherokee people—a case study for nation building.

This book is a historical and legal commentary about the constitutions of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribal government in the United States, the importance of leaders adhering to its constitution and law for it to survive, the origins of Cherokee fundamental principles that have driven Cherokee people toward a “designed purpose,” and inspirational stories of Cherokees who were Firekeepers and patriots. This book reviews the political environment and origin of the Cherokee Nation’s first constitution in 1827, reflects on the reasons for changes in its subsequent constitutions in 1839, 1866, 1975, 1999, 2003, and 2007; and reports on multiple instances wherein the Cherokee Nation administration and court system violated not only the Cherokee Nation Constitution but also repealed protections of its citizens and undermined the integrity of the government.
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Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation

Learn from All I Observe

“If you want to be successful, it is this simple. Know what you are doing, love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” — Will Rogers When Chad Smith became Principal Chief, the Cherokee Nation was a chaotic and dysfunctional entity. By the end of his tenure, 12 years later, the Nation had grown its assets from $150 million to $1.2 billion, increased business profits 2,000 percent, created 6,000 jobs, and dramatically advanced its education, language, and cultural preservation programs. How could one team influence such vast positive change?
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Building One Fire

Art and World View in Cherokee Life

In Building One Fire, Chad Smith and renowned Cherokee-Osage scholar and author Rennard Strickland present a unique look at Cherokee art through the lens of Cherokee philosophy. Since the time when Water Spider brought the gift offire to the Cherokee people, the One Fire, “the Ancient Lady,” has been at the center of Cherokee spiritual life. From this fire, which represents community, thewhite smoke of prayer rises to Nitsudunvha, One Who is Always Above. In return Nitsudunvha sends to each person four sets of gifts with whichto develop mind, body, and spirit. These gifts are brought by four messengers, one from each of thecardinal directions. The gifts of the four messengers, the colors and qualities associated with them, and the four-pointcircle that embraces the sacred fire—all these arepart of Cherokee consciousness and creativity.They take visible form, subtly or directly, in works created by Cherokee artists.
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Cherokee Nation

History Course

The Cherokee Nation Legal History Course Book is a comprehensive 600-page compilation from 1991. It includes articles, treaties, law cases, treatises, maps, letters, statutes, and charts that cover Cherokee Nation history from 1735 to the present, organized into twenty-three chronological chapters. The class based on this book spans 40 hours, held over five consecutive days for Cherokee Nation employees and two all-day Saturday and Sunday weekends for Cherokee communities. Over 8,000 people attended the class, taught by Chad Smith and Dr. Julia Coates. The class was awarded for Innovation in Indian Country by Harvard Law School. The book is available for free download.
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Testimonials

what readers are saying

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Most tribes have a small bench when it comes to capable managemnt of tribal business. Chief Smith shows how to overcome the dysfunctions of a tribe and how to develop a bigger guiding plan to allow the tribe to be successful while at the same time allowing tribal culture to guide and flourish. You can easily determine for yourself how successful he was by the success he brought to the tribe. larry sterne // member of Pawnee tribe known for its dysfunction
larry sterneCase study of tribal leadership
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Outstanding Book!! A must read for anyone interested in economic development. EVERY community has its culture. This book is about the BALANCE of community values, Spirit, culture and economic development. This book is about self-sufficiency achieved through skills based training, jobs and a PLAN!!! Mr. Chad Smith should be speaking at every Camber of Commerce in the country. GREAT BOOK!!
Traci MccartyThe Best Book Written About Economic Development!!!
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I decided to postpone reading it for a while because I know it will inspire me and motivate me to do something but just won't have time until June! This is a huge compliment as I was intending to quietly enjoy retired life!
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Every native American should read.
J CARTERGreat Book
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Detailed information
A Ruddick Informative
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In the spirit of Angie Debo, Chief Chadwick “Corntassel” Smith has put together an opus of work. This is “the” book for any person who interested in not only the Cherokee history and issues, but anyone who has an interest in the culture of all of our “First Americans” and the evolution of our tribal nations into modern day society and business. A must-have on the desk of any tribal leader or lawyer who practices Native American law, and is one of the most important books ever written about a people and their history.
AGifford The most important book ever written about the Cherokee people and their history.
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ᎣᏏᏲ, Chief Smith and the team that put this together did a wonderful job. I'm not an artist in the vein of this medium, but he did weave some elements of our Keetoowah outlook into this work. A must have for cultural craft oriented Cherokees. Nice job and Osda!!! Brown is the East! ........ Ed Young -CCIE
Edward YoungA dream come true for the Cherokee artist.
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This is a great book for the Cherokee. A varied collection of traditional Cherokee industry combined with sharing of Cherokee culture. I believe it is a must have for all Cherokee and for all those interested in the Cherokee Way
dalonige ugidaliCherokee Art & Culture
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This is a beautifully illustrated and written book, I particularly like the use of Cherokee syllibary with the English. The poetry of the language is a fitting accompaniment to the poetry of the images.
Mountain Grandma A beautiful book
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Beautiful and instructional highest quality printing, binding leading to fantastic coffee table centerpiece. Amazon had to arrange large order through multiple entities and did a great job!
T R LewisBeautiful
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Great book with lovely illustrations. Bought it as a gift for someone with a strong interest in Native American pottery, and I was very pleased.
Dorothy C. ScottBuilding One Fire
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A wonderful overlap of history, traditional art and contemporary visions. Inspired me to follow the 4 winds in my own art.
peggy sue welchA powerful chronicle of a strong people.
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No nonsense lessons in leadership model that lead to the most well-governed, competent, and aggressive jobs development program including development of, educational, medical, social service programs. T.R. Lewis, Social Entrepreneur
T R LewisGreat guide for more than indigenous people's
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Wisdom from Chief Smith. I had a hard time putting this book down. I've seen the results of his leadership.
tjdWisdom lessons
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The true Leadership Spirit! Former Chief Smith possesses the true spirit of a Leader and Teacher who served the Cherokee Nation well.
Win AFantastic, A true American Leader.
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I am elected councillor in an Aboriginal community with a strong passion to help create Economic Development here at home.This is the best book on how to actually help your community. Chad Smith explains how and why he created the necessary processes that helped turn the Economics of his Nation around. This is a must read for Aboriginal Leaders every where
peter cardinalA must read book
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