The Oath of Office is a solemn promise between the elected or appointed officials and the Cherokee People for whom they are elected or appointed to represent.
Section 1. Agreement to Ethics. All elected or appointed officials of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, before taking their oath of office, shall agree by signature, to conform their conduct to the Standards of Ethical Conduct as stated by the Audit and Ethics Committee.
Section 2. Oath of Office. All elected or appointed officials of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians before entering upon the duties of office shall take the following oath before the Chief Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court, or his/her designee:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the duties of (the elected or appointed officials as applicable) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Constitution of the United States, and laws confirmed and ratified by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not obtained Tribal office by any undue or unlawful means, and that in all measures which may come before me I will so conduct myself in a manner most conducive to the interest and prosperity of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
(January 2022 draft + commentary to view the corresponding explanation.)