TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice Shawna Baker announced Monday she has left the tribe’s judiciary and will join Cherokee Nation Businesses’ legal team.
Baker was appointed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in August 2020 to complete the term of the late Justice Lynn Burris.
Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the Principal Chief and confirmed by the Council for terms of 10 years.
Justice Baker is the third woman to have served on the tribe’s Supreme Court, the highest court in the tribe’s judicial branch.
“Justice Baker has served our Nation with distinction and with honor, both inside and outside the courtroom,” said Chief Hoskin. “She not only approached her role as Justice with the type of seriousness and demeanor that the Cherokee people expect, but she has also played an active role in the civic, community and cultural life of our Nation that continues to inspire.”
Baker earned a bachelor’s degree from John Brown University, a master’s degree in biological science and a law degree from the University of Tulsa, a Master of Laws from Columbia University, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University.
Baker has over 22 years of legal experience in various areas of law, from litigation, to complex financial and estate matters to a tenure in the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court during a time of unprecedented expansion of the Cherokee judiciary following the historic United States Supreme Court McGirt decision.
“I am forever grateful to Chief Hoskin for my nomination and to the Council for the confidence it demonstrated by confirming me to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court,” said Justice Baker. “Serving as a Justice is the honor of a lifetime, but I am excited to now turn my focus to assisting Cherokee Nation Businesses as it continues to grow, diversify and deliver jobs, revenue and economic opportunities to the Cherokee people.”
Baker will join the legal team at Cherokee Nation Businesses. CNB has a multi-billion-dollar business portfolio with a business presence in numerous industries and spanning the globe.
“Justice Baker earned her way onto the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and now Cherokee Nation Businesses legal team on her own merits,” said Chief Hoskin. “But I am particularly proud that Justice Baker, as a woman and as a lesbian, made history, adding diversity to our government ranks and reaffirming that Cherokee society is one that respects and celebrates the dignity and worth of everyone, regardless of background or identity.”
In addition to serving in the Cherokee judiciary during the post-McGirt expansion, Baker participated in key decisions by the tribe’s high court with far reaching impact.
In 2021, Baker authored the Court’s opinion in Cherokee Nation v. Nash and Vann v. Zinke, further interpreting the rights of Freedmen to include full rights of citizenship. Writing for a unanimous court, Baker concluded that the tribe’s signing of the Treaty of 1866 made subsequent efforts to deny Freedmen their rights relating to full citizenship “void ab initio,” and therefore invalid.
Cherokee Nation citizen, Freedmen rights advocate and Cherokee Nation Environmental Protection Commission member Marilyn Vann praised Justice Baker and her opinion in the Nash case.
“Justice Baker led the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court to declare something very important,” said Vann. “Her opinion for the Court in Nash reaffirmed that Cherokee Freedmen do not need to beg at the ballot box to keep rights granted to us by treaty over 150 years ago.”
Baker previously served as a member of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission, appointed by Chief Hoskin in 2019.
In 2024, Baker served as a mentor rider for the tribe’s annual Remember the Removal bike ride, alongside 11 other riders. The program honors tribal ancestors lost on the Trail of Tears and commemorates the brutal forced removal of Cherokees across nearly 1000 miles between 1838 and 1839.
“My commitment to serve the Cherokee people is unwavering. Only 11 years after the Removal, our ancestors collectively raised monies to carve a stone with the words ‘Cherokee Nation 1850’ and then paid to ship the stone to Washington, D.C., where it resides today 220 feet above the ground inside the Washington Monument,” Baker said. “It stands as a testament to our ancestors’ enduring legacy and our Nation’s sovereignty. Now, I can play a small role in ensuring our economic vitality for the next seven generations. I am truly humbled by the warm welcome extended by the leadership at Cherokee Nation Businesses, as well as by its legal team.”
Baker’s resignation was effective February 1, 2025, leaving a vacancy on the five-member court.
“Justice Baker served honorably,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “Those of us who have watched her wonderful career are excited to see what kind of positive impact she will make in this new chapter.”
Chief Hoskin said he will send a nominee to the Council to fill the open seat on the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court within a month.