Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon, right, administers the oath of office to newly-elected tribal legislature Toby Perkins, of Ada, as his wife, Alesha, looks on. Perkins was elected to Pontotoc District Seat 1 of the Chickasaw Legislature in a runoff election last month.
Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon, right, administers the oath of office to newly-appointed Chickasaw Nation District Court Judge Dustin P. Rowe, of Tishomingo. Rowe took the oath of office Monday at the tribal Judicial Building in Ada. Also pictured is Rowe's wife, Nicole.
ADA, Okla. - A Chickasaw Nation legislator and a tribal District Court justice were sworn into office in separate ceremonies Monday, Jan. 10 at the Chickasaw Nation Headquarters complex.
Toby Perkins, of Ada, took the oath of office for Pontotoc District Seat 1 of the Chickasaw Legislature at tribal headquarters and Dustin P. Rowe, of Tishomingo, was sworn in as Chickasaw Nation District Court Judge at the Chickasaw Nation Judicial Building.
Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon administered the oath in both ceremonies.
Perkins won a January runoff election to fill the unexpired term of Holly Easterling, who resigned in October to accept an administrative position within the Chickasaw Nation.
Rowe is a new appointment as Chickasaw Nation District Judge. He has served as tribal special judge since 2005. Rowe replaces tribal District Judge Aaron Duck, who served in the position since 2003, and recently was named Associate District Judge of 20th District in Oklahoma.
The Chickasaw Nation Legislature is comprised of 13 members, elected from the Chickasaw Nation's four legislative districts: Panola, Pickens, Pontotoc and Tishomingo.
The Chickasaw Nation Judicial Department is comprised of a Supreme Court, a District Court and a Peacemaking Court.
