Barbara Ann Starr Scott (May 19, 1939 – December 6, 2020) was a Cherokee politician who served on the Cherokee Nation tribal council for district 5 from 1983 to 1987 and 1995 to 1999.
Barbara Starr Scott | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for the 5th district | |
| In office 1995–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Melvina Shotpouch |
| Succeeded by | Melvina Shotpouch |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Barbara Ann Starr May 19, 1939 Claremore, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | December 6, 2020 (aged 81) |
| Citizenship | Cherokee Nation United States |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Haskell Indian Junior College Tulsa Junior College |
Life
editStarr Scott was born on May 19, 1939, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Lacy Fallingpot-Starr and Buelah Benton Hendren Fallingpot-Starr.[1] She was the second of five children and spent her early years in Eucha.[1] In 1952, the construction of Lake Eucha prompted her family to relocate to Rattlesnake Hollow.[1] Starr Scott graduated from Jay High School in 1957.[1] She pursued further education at Haskell Indian Junior College and Tulsa Junior College.[1]
Starr Scott initially worked as a hairdresser, running her own business out of her home in Bixby, Oklahoma, for many years.[1] Later, she transitioned into healthcare, becoming a dental assistant for the Indian Health Service.[1] In addition to her career in healthcare, Starr Scott and her husband, Arthur Calvin Scott, whom she married on November 13, 1958, started a family business, the "Lil Indian Smoke Shop," in Jay, Oklahoma.[1] They ran the shop alongside their son, Calvin Jay, and his wife, Rhonda.[1]
Starr Scott's political involvement began with her election to the Cherokee Nation tribal council.[1] She represented the multi-member district 5 (Delaware and Ottawa counties) from 1983 to 1987 and 1995 to 1999.[1] In 1987, Starr Scott ran for deputy chief of Cherokee Nation, placing second to incumbent John Letcher 4,763 votes to 3,906.[2] During her time on the council, she chaired the health committee, co-chaired the executive and finance committee, and contributed to the education, language, rules, and community development committees.[1] She advocated for improving healthcare services for Cherokee Nation citizens.[1] In 1997, Starr Scott was part of an Federal Bureau of Investigation investigation into illegal wiretapping, where she was asked to identify her voice in recordings tied to potential wiretap violations.[3] The investigation focused on wiretapping among tribal officials rather than the content of the conversations.[3] At the 1999 Cherokee Nation constitutional convention, Starr Scott supported a proposal to create two at-large districts on the tribal council, which became the successful "Starr-Scott proposal" that was included in the 1999 Cherokee Nation constitution.[4]
Starr Scott was a collector of Native American jewelry.[1] She died on December 6, 2020, at the age of 81.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Former Tribal Councilor Starr Scott dies at 81". cherokeephoenix.org. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Cherokee election headed for runoff". UPI Archives. June 22, 1987. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ a b Jones, Charles T. (March 15, 1997). "FBI Looking For Source Of Wiretap Cherokee Nation Leaders May Be Part of Operation". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Lemont, Eric (2003). "Overcoming the Politics of Reform:The Story of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Constitutional Convention". American Indian Law Review. 28: 24–25. doi:10.2307/20171713. JSTOR 20171713.