Catawba Indian Nation elects new Chief
Although it’s not yet official, it looks like Brian Harris has been elected as new Chief of the Catawba Indian Nation, replacing Bill Harris who served as Chief for 12 years and opted not to run again. Members of South Carolina’s only federally-recognized tribe have a brief period to challenge the results before swearing in the any newly elected leaders.. 880 of the tribe’s 3700 members turned out for the election which was held Saturday at the Nation’s Longhouse. It was a contest between Brian Harris and a distant cousin Jason Harris who has served as assistant chief since 2015. The tribe also has elected its first woman for assistant chief, Patricia Leach, Roderick Beck as secretary/treasurer and at-large committee members Connie Wade and Roo George-Warren…Harris says he’s ready to get started in his new job as soon as possible, citing casino issues and housing as two areas of special concern.
