Born: c.1952 (Cherokee)
Biography:
Joyce Dugan (born c.1952, Cherokee) is an American educator, school administrator, and politician. She served as the 24th Principal Chief of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from 1995 to 1999, making her the first woman to be elected to this position. As of 2022, she remains the only woman to have held this office.
Dugan was born and raised in Western North Carolina to a Cherokee mother, who worked as a maid, and a white father from Tennessee. Despite being called the white Indian during her upbringing, she was immersed in Cherokee culture and became enrolled as a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Dugan attended local public schools and later pursued her higher education at Western Carolina University, where she earned her BS in Education in 1974 and MS in Education in 1981.
After completing her studies, Dugan began her teaching career in the Cherokee Central Schools, located in Cherokee, North Carolina. This educational system serves children at the Qualla Boundary and offers instruction from pre-school through K-12. In recognition of her remarkable teaching abilities, Dugan was appointed superintendent of the Cherokee Central Schools by the EBCI in 1990.
In 1995, urged by the community, Dugan decided to enter the political arena and run for the position of Principal Chief. Her opponent was Jonathan L. Taylor, a two-term incumbent and long-time politician. Dugan won the primary and run-off by a significant margin, securing her place as the first female Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Dugan’s tenure as Principal Chief coincided with a significant milestone for the tribe. In November 1997, the tribe opened Harrah’s Cherokee, a major gaming casino. Leading the tribe during this period of economic expansion, Dugan played a crucial role in establishing strong financial controls within tribal administration and restructuring the government.
Additionally, Dugan recognized the importance of preserving and promoting Cherokee culture. She established a cultural division within the tribal government, which aimed to address cultural heritage issues such as language revitalization, repatriation of artifacts, museum exhibits, and education. This division received funding from the revenue generated by the newly opened casino.
Beyond her focus on cultural preservation, Dugan also prioritized environmental issues and healthcare. She initiated programs to combat the high rate of diabetes among the Cherokee population, highlighting her commitment to improving the health and well-being of her community.
After her term as Principal Chief came to an end, Dugan was hired by Harrah’s Cherokee to develop a transition program that would equip the tribe to manage the casino business independently. She later assumed the position of Director of Public, Government, and Community Relations at the casino.
Joyce Dugan’s achievements as an educator, administrator, and politician have left a lasting impact on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Her historic election as the first female Principal Chief, her efforts to promote Cherokee culture, and her dedication to improving the lives of her constituents make her a significant figure in women’s history and the ongoing story of the Cherokee people.