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Frankie Hargis

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Frankie Hargis
Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for the 7th district
In office
2011 – November 2018
Preceded byJoe Crittenden
Succeeded byCanaan Duncan
Personal details
Born(1965-07-19)July 19, 1965
Claremore, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedAugust 15, 2021(2021-08-15) (aged 56)
CitizenshipCherokee Nation
United States
Children2
EducationNortheastern State University

Frankie Darlene Hargis (July 19, 1965 – August 15, 2021) was a Cherokee politician who served as the registrar of the Cherokee Nation from 2018 to 2021. She was previously a member of the tribal council representing District 7 from 2011 to 2018.

Life

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Hargis was born July 19, 1965, in Claremore, Oklahoma and raised in Stilwell.[1][2] She graduated from Stilwell High School and later earned a B.A. in education from Northeastern State University.[1][2]

Hargis worked for the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Enterprises in various capacities.[1] In 2006, Hargas supported limiting Cherokee citizenship to those with Cherokee blood, arguing that Freedmen, descendants of former slaves, should also be excluded.[3] She backed the Cherokee Nation tribal council's amendment requiring Indian blood for citizenship.[3]

Her political career began in 2011 when she was elected to the tribal council in a special election, representing District 7 (western Adair County).[1] She succeeded Joe Crittenden.[4] Hargis was re-elected in 2013 and again in 2017.[1] During her tenure, she secured $80,000 for a domestic violence shelter in Stilwell, $4.2 million for a child development center in Stilwell, $11 million for the expansion of the Wilma P. Mankiller Clinic, and $1 million for roads and bridges in Adair County.[1] She sponsored 333 pieces of legislation.[5] In November 2018, Hargis resigned from her Tribal Council seat after being selected by principal chief Bill John Baker to become the Cherokee Nation's Registrar.[6] Canaan Duncan won a special election to serve the rest of Hargis council term.[7] She held the registrar position until her death.[1]

Hargis had two sons.[1] She died unexpectedly in Stilwell on August 15, 2021, at the age of 56.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "UPDATED: Registrar, former Tribal Councilor Frankie Hargis dies at 56". cherokeephoenix.org. 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Frankie Hargis Obituary 2021". Hart Funeral Home- Stilwell. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  3. ^ a b Chavez, Will (2006-07-14). "Council amends constitution to exclude Freedmen". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  4. ^ "6 incumbents to remain on Tribal Council". cherokeephoenix.org. 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  5. ^ "Council of the Cherokee Nation - Frankie Hargis". cherokee.legistar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  6. ^ Jackson, Tesina (2018-11-28). "Deadlines upcoming for Cherokee Nation elections". Tahlequah Daily Press. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  7. ^ Hunter, Chad (2019-01-06). "Canaan Duncan secures tribal council seat". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08.