Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas
Council Members
The men and women who carry the responsibility of our people — guiding the tribe in the pursuit of recognition, the preservation of our culture, and the protection of our future.
ᎠᏂᎨᏒ ᎠᏂᏍᎦᏯ
Anigeyv Anisga ya · "Our people together"
The Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of Arkansas on May 28, 2024. Our tribal government is led by elected Officers and a Board of Directors committed to the welfare of all Chickamauga Cherokee descendants.
Officers & Council Members
Your Tribal Council
Chief
Chief Jim Davis
Chief Jim Davis has dedicated his life to service — first to his country in the United States Army, then to his people as Chief of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas. He descends from a long line of Cherokee chiefs and carries that legacy forward with humility and purpose. Under his leadership the tribe has grown in membership, launched the Arkansas River Valley Cherokee Pantry, and advanced its pursuit of state and federal reinstatement.
District 1 Representative
James "Buddy" Alexander
James "Buddy" Alexander serves as the District 1 Representative on the Tribal Council. A dedicated voice for his district, Buddy attends council meetings, advocates for community needs, and supports the tribe's programs and sovereignty efforts. His commitment to the Chickamauga Cherokee people reflects the deep roots his family has in the Arkansas River Valley.
Assistant Chief
R.L. Adams
R.L. Adams serves as Assistant Chief of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas. He supports the Chief in all governance matters, leads community outreach and tribal relations, and assists in recognition and legislative efforts while working to preserve Chickamauga Cherokee traditions.
Assistant Chief
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill serves as Assistant Chief of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas, supporting the Chief in all governance matters and helping advance the tribe's recognition efforts, community programs, and cultural preservation.
District 2 Representative
Bill Hefley
Bill Hefley represents District 2 on the Tribal Council, attending council meetings and advocating for the needs of tribal members in his district. He is committed to supporting tribal programs and the ongoing sovereignty and recognition efforts of the Chickamauga Cherokee people.
District 3 Representative
Billy Wayne Noblett Sr
Billy Wayne Noblett Sr. serves as the District 3 Representative, bringing the concerns and voices of his district to the Tribal Council. He is a steadfast supporter of Cherokee cultural preservation and the tribe's community programs.
District 4 Representative
Dustin Morris
Dustin Morris represents District 4 on the Tribal Council, advocating for his district's tribal members and supporting the tribe's programs and governance. He attends council meetings and works alongside fellow council members to advance the tribe's mission.
District 5 Representative
Bobby Gideon
Bobby Gideon serves as the District 5 Representative on the Tribal Council. He is a dedicated advocate for the tribal members of his district and a committed supporter of the Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe's cultural and governance efforts.
District 6 Representative
Lowell Ray (Buster) Berryhill
Lowell Ray "Buster" Berryhill represents District 6 on the Tribal Council. He attends council meetings, advocates for the needs of his district's tribal members, and supports the tribe's programs and ongoing recognition efforts.
Spiritual Guides
Charlie & Diane Davis
Charlie and Diane Davis serve as Spiritual Guides for the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas. Rooted in Cherokee tradition and ceremony, they provide spiritual counsel, prayer, and guidance to tribal members and leadership. Their presence at gatherings and ceremonies helps keep the sacred ways of the Chickamauga Cherokee people alive and honored.
Tribal Elder
Dennis Gilmore
Dennis Gilmore serves as a Tribal Elder of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas. As an elder, he carries the wisdom, traditions, and memory of the Cherokee people, offering guidance to tribal members and council. His knowledge and dedication to the tribe's heritage are a vital part of the community.
Tribal Elder
Charles Young
Charles Young is a proud member of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas, contributing to the strength and continuity of the Cherokee community. A Native veteran, he carries the warrior spirit of his ancestors with honor and dedication to his people.
Tribal Elder — In Memoriam
Homer Midwell
Homer Midwell dedicated his life to the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas, serving as a proud and faithful member until his passing in 2026. He stood as a living testament to the enduring spirit of the Chickamauga Cherokee people, honoring the traditions and heritage passed down through generations. His loyalty, his presence, and his love for his people will not be forgotten. May he rest in the peace he so richly deserved.
Arkansas Registered Lobbyist · Website Creator · Tribal Member
Gayla Rachell Milam
Gayla Rachell Milam is a proud tribal member of the Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe of Arkansas and serves as the tribe's Arkansas Registered Lobbyist. She is also the creator of this website — built to amplify the tribe's voice, document its history, and advance its pursuit of state and federal reinstatement. Her dedication to the tribe's mission reflects both her Cherokee heritage and her commitment to ensuring the Chickamauga Cherokee people are seen, heard, and recognized.
"Sovereign Chickamauga Cherokee Tribe — 1808"
ᏣᎳᎩ · Tsalagi · Chickamauga · Arkansas
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Have questions about tribal membership, enrollment, or the recognition effort? Our leadership team welcomes your outreach.
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