Recognizing the life and achievements of Jess Sixkiller

The Cherokee Nation and tribal citizens throughout the country lost a true champion with the tragic passing of Jess Sixkiller. He was the first Native detective on the Chicago Police Force and in Phoenix he continued to champion the rights of Indian people. He was a warrior and advocate for Native rights, especially urban-based Indian people. Throughout Indian Country, Jess will be forever known as a man committed to his Native brothers and sisters who suffered as a result of Federal relocation and assimilation policies. As the leader of the National Urban Indian Organization, he fought tirelessly for the rights of those he said faced a different kind of crisis than Indians living close to their community or on the reservation. Jess was a man who led by example and I was proud to have met and known this iconic activist. He was proud to be Cherokee and we are proud of him. He will be missed immensely, and we are holding his family in our thoughts and prayers.