Lewis Johnson, current Assistant Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, has declared his candidacy for the principal chief position. His submitted press release appears below.

Lewis Johnson is the son of the late Charles ‘Jiggs” Johnson and Sue Ann Kilcrease Johnson; he is of the Bird Clan and the Tallahassee Band. Johnson maternal grandmother is Cora Hulwa Lena daughter of Sally Factor and his paternal grandmother is Josephine Stevens Camp Gayler the daughter of Josie and Mollie Stevens.

Johnson is not a newcomer or novice to Seminole tribal affairs; He was elected to two consecutive terms on the Seminole Nation General Council for the Tallahassee Band and served several years as their Band Chief. Four different Principal Chiefs of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma over a span of twenty-eight years had formerly nominated him with the confirmation by the General Council for him to serve on several high-profile boards and committees for the Seminole Nation. He comes from a family with a tradition of service to the Seminole Nation and its members.

Prior to being elected Assistant Chief in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, Johnson served in many capacities for the Nation such as a member of the Administration Appeals Board, Chairman of the Constitution Revision Committee, Chairman of the Tribal Law Codification Committee, Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Committee as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Business Development Authority. He was also a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the Seminole Nation, as well as the Tribal Liaison to United States Mint for the development of the Seminole Congressional Code Talkers Medal. Johnson was selected by the General Council to speak as a witness on behalf of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma before the District Court of the United States in Washington, D.C during an especially important court case involving the Seminole Nation.

“I believe a vast Knowledge of tribal law along with the wisdom of how to implement it is essential to a strong Sovereign Nation”. A leader with established experience in tribal affairs is of great importance while defending the sovereignty and treaty rights of the Seminole Nation which is essential to preserving and protecting our government-to-government relationship with the United States and holding them to their trust responsibility to the Seminole Nation.

Johnson has shown continual commitment, compassion, and consistency over the years, always having an open door in listening to issues of concern of the Seminole members, he is considered by many members as the most accessible Executive Officer for inclusivity is a priority to him. The next four years of Seminole leadership will define how we as a Sovereign Nation respond to the opportunities and challenges that lay before us, for they will impact future generations.

Johnson believes President Biden’s initiatives pertaining to Indian Policy and the positive powerful Executive Order pertaining to Indian Country in honoring the Sovereignty of Indian Country is promising, and it must be strategically planned for in order to propel the Seminole Nation forward in exercising our sovereignty effectively to benefit all our tribal members as well to continue the sustainability of the government of the Seminole Nation, it will take a strong capable, experienced and knowledgeable tribal leader to navigate the waters of this new era in Indian Country.

Johnson has established a positive professional relationship with other tribal leaders throughout Indian Country and he has made the trip to Washington D.C protecting and defending the Seminole Nation’s interest. Participating and attending consultation meetings with former Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, and the Bureau of Indian affairs (B.I.A) as well as other Federal Agencies in Washington D.C and he looks forward to having dialogue and consultations with President Biden’s Administration Cabinet as well as other agency leadership.

Johnson believes there is a continual process in paving the pathway to progress. So many have been a part of the journey, including all the past leaders of the tribe, elders as well as every tribal member who continues to serve other tribal members.

Providing a continuity of a sustainable culture, economy and government is a tapestry tightly woven together; the responsibility of it continuing relies on every succeeding generation and especially those of us who are given the opportunity to lead. Johnson said it has been an honor to serve his people as the Assistant Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and desires to continue to serve the Nation as the Chief, he is the most experienced and practical candidate of choice for Chief in the General election to be held on July 10th, 2021.

‘Steadfast for Sovereignty -- Seminole Strong”