About William Crowder
I am proud to be part of the Cherokee Nation and a member of the renowned Starr family (Charles Chute Starr is my great-great-grandfather). Growing up, I attended elementary school, middle school, high school, and college all within the same county, fostering a deep connection to the local community.
I am an outdoors enthusiast, I enjoy hunting and raising cattle with my father, uncle, and cousin. With a strong academic background in economics earned at The University of Central Oklahoma. I have dedicated my career to public service since graduation. This commitment to public service runs deep in my family, as my grandfather served as a Superintendent in Indian Country at Sisseton Agency, SD, and married my grandmother, who was Cherokee. He dedicated his career to protecting Native rights, securing jobs for Natives, and building homes at Sisseton, which he did with compassion.
That passion was passed on to me. My passion is for Oklahoma and its people, and I continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of those in my community, drawing on generations of public service in Indian Country and a profound love for my heritage. I will ensure that everyone has direct access and a way to engage with the Tribal Government on issues brought to me. You will be fully represented. That is my commitment to you.
Dedication in Action
Other councilmembers have, in the past, outlined their central ideas, but accomplishments don't always align with those promises. Their records, though, are still impressive and they deserve credit for those achievements. However, I believe setting a clear and achievable agenda is crucial, and you deserve a representative who can deliver on their commitments. While I respect the efforts of all who have held office in service of The Cherokee Nation, we must ensure that the needs of all citizens are prioritized. When you read about achievements from people, ask yourself, would you have known about them without being told? I want to bring impactful changes that are felt throughout the Cherokee Nation.
My five primary areas of focus, listed below, are based on our community's current needs and what I believe is achievable. These are not just promises; they are commitments rooted in my extensive public service experience. I prefer to be honest about what can be accomplished and what will have the most impact on us as At-Large Citizens.
Focus
Upholding Tribal Soverighnty
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Strengthen Government-to-Government Relationships
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Advocate for tribal consultation mandates in federal and state policies affecting Cherokee lands, resources, or rights.
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Leverage legal frameworks (e.g., McGirt v. Oklahoma) to reinforce jurisdictional authority over tribal citizens and lands.
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Establish a Tribal Affairs Liaison to streamline communication with federal/state agencies.
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Enhance Government-to-Business Partnerships
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Expand the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to ensure tribal hiring preferences and fair wages in economic projects.
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Negotiate revenue-sharing agreements with corporations operating on Cherokee lands (e.g., energy, agriculture).
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Further Support Cherokee Business Incubator to support citizen-owned enterprises with grants and mentorship.
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Improving Citizen Well-being
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Healthcare & Social Services
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Build satellite clinics in underserved rural communities and expand telehealth access.
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Partner with federal programs (IHS, Medicaid) to secure funding for mental health, addiction recovery, and elder care.
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Implement a Tribal ID-based benefits system to simplify access to housing, nutrition, and childcare programs.
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Empowering Citizens At-Large Representation
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Create regional outreach for at-large citizens to advise their Tribal Councilors.
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Host quarterly virtual town halls with language interpretation services (English/Cherokee).
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Reform voting systems to examine the potential of using secure online ballots for off-reservation citizens.
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Youth & Elder Engagement
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Establish a Youth Tribal Council to mentor future leaders and integrate their perspectives into policymaking.
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Expand the Elder Advocate Program to ensure elders shape cultural and community decisions.
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Federal Relations
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TERO & Economic Advocacy
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Monitor and strengthen TERO compliance for federal contractors operating in the Cherokee Nation.
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Secure grants for infrastructure (broadband, roads) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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Policy Leadership
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Appoint a Federal Policy Director with experience in DC to navigate legislation and the Fudning freezes put into place in 2025.
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Collaborate with other tribes to form a Native Caucus advocating for tribal priorities in federal budgets.
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Cultural Preservation
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Language Revitalization
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Launch Cherokee Language Immersion Schools in all districts, paired with adult night classes.
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Develop a digital language app with interactive lessons and storytelling modules.
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Art & Heritage
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Fund a Cherokee Artists Collective to preserve traditional crafts (basket-weaving, pottery) and connect artists to markets.
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Partner with universities to digitize oral histories and create a Virtual Museum accessible globally.
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Investing in the Future
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Education
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Expand Cherokee Nation Scholarships to cover the growing vocational training and STEM fields.
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Partner with public schools to integrate Cherokee history/culture into K-12 curricula.
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Health & Recreation
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Build community wellness centers with gyms, pools, and traditional medicine workshops.
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Develop cultural recreation programs (stickball leagues, archery, and other workshops).
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Economic Growth
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Support The Youth Corps to address challenges on tribal lands.
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Scale The Cherokee Business Incubator with micro-loans, mentorship, and access to tribal procurement contracts.
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Partner with tribal colleges and vocational programs to train citizens in high-demand fields (healthcare, IT, skilled trades)
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Develop heritage sites, artisan markets, and eco-tourism initiatives to showcase Cherokee history while generating income.
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