Chad "Corntassel" Smith

Native American Politician & Attorney; Former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation; Leadership & Organization Development Speaker

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College, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Government, Indigenous Heritage, Law, Leadership, Native American Heritage, Political
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Chad "Corntassel" Smith Biography

Chad Smith, the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1999 to 2011, has been a powerful force in building businesses and working toward self-sufficiency for Native American nations. He has devoted the majority of his adult life to rebuilding the Cherokee Nation and helping Cherokees learn how to help themselves. When he was principal chief, the Cherokee Nation grew its assets from $150 million to $1.2 billion, increased business profits 100 fold, improved healthcare services from $18 million to $310 million, created 6,000 jobs, and dramatically advanced its education, language, and cultural preservation programs. The Cherokee Nation’s success is a direct result of his principle-based leadership and his “Point A to Point B” leadership model. This model works for businesses, governments, and people in everyday life situations. His book “Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation” describing this model has been published by McGraw-Hill.

His efforts outside of the government and business arenas are diversified. He is a renowned legal scholar and accomplished public speaker; has published Cherokee art, culture, and history books; produced 10 Cherokee Nation Youth Choir CDs in the Cherokee language; was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; rappelled from a 19-story hotel to raise money for Special Olympics; and bicycled the entire 980-mile Trail of Tears as part of a Cherokee youth leadership exercise.

Smith earned his BS Ed from the University of Georgia; his MPA from University of Wisconsin; a JD from the University of Tulsa; and an MBA from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He has been an ironworker, tax lawyer, assistant district attorney, public defender, Attorney General, visiting professor at Dartmouth College, principal chief, attorney general and practicing attorney. In addition to “Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation,” he is the author of “Building One Fire,” published by University of Oklahoma Press.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 01/15/2025.

Chad "Corntassel" Smith Speaking Topics

  • Leadership: Point A to Point B

    Leadership is the most critical aspect of successful society, business, government and people. This presentation describes leadership as the process of going from Point A (where you are) to Point B (where you want to go). This model illustrates that at Point A, people must have a tremendous amount of humility to understand their place in their environment, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Point B is equally challenging, because many people do not know where they want to go because they lack vision and/or an understanding of their opportunities. Between Point A and Point B are curves, detours and potholes that one must have the education, skills, and motivation to navigate. Smith instituted his principle-based leadership model at the Cherokee Nation during his tenure from 1999 and 2011. As a result, the Cherokee Nation grew its assets from $150 million to $1.2 billion, increased healthcare services from $18 million to $310 million, and created 6,000 jobs. This model is applicable to business, government and to people in everyday life situations. This presentation poses the question, “Are you a genius or dufus?”

  • A 100-Year Plan: Tribal Nation Building

    Indian tribal governments have a special relationship with the US government. Federally recognized Indian tribes are entitled to enact their own laws and conduct businesses under their own governmental structures. The Cherokee Nation government has been recognized in the world community of governments since 1721, when it signed its first treaty with Great Britain. In 1832, the United States Supreme Court held that Indian tribes are “domestic dependent nations” with inherent sovereignty and territories exclusive to state governments. “Nation building” is the process of developing a tribe to build self-sufficient economies and cultural integrity. This presentation provides an understanding of Indian Country and answers popular questions such as: “Why do some Indian tribes have casinos, What is a reservation, and Why do Indian tribes have different laws?” The message is that Indians are citizens of their own governments, in addition to being culturally distinct. Did you know that the famous humorist Will Rogers did not become an American citizen until 1901? Will was born in 1879 in the Cherokee Nation. His parents were both Cherokee citizens, so he was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Will Rogers became an American citizen (and retained his Cherokee citizenship), as did other Cherokees, under federal law in 1901.

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Chad "Corntassel" Smith Videos

The Cherokee Strategy Opposing Removal

The Cherokee Strategy Opposing Removal

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Building One Fire: Art and World View in Cherokee Life
Building One Fire: Art and World View in Cherokee Life
Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation: Learn from All I Observe
Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation: Learn from All I Observe

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  • What topics does Chad "Corntassel" Smith speak about?

    Chad "Corntassel" Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include College, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Government, Indigenous Heritage, Law, Leadership, Native American Heritage, Political

  • Where does Chad "Corntassel" Smith travel from?

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Chad "Corntassel" Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Leadership: Point A to Point B, A 100-Year Plan: Tribal Nation Building, Designing an Organization to Sustain an Economy and Building One Fire: Cherokee Art & Culture. The estimated speaking fee range to book Chad "Corntassel" Smith for your event is available upon request. Chad "Corntassel" Smith generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are George P. Bush, Justice Alan Page, Judge Greg Mathis, Van Jones and Hill Harper. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Chad "Corntassel" Smith for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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