Chief Hoskin nominates Kristen Snell-Thomas as tribe's Registrar

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. on Friday nominated Kristen Snell-Thomas of Tahlequah to be the tribe's Registrar.

"Kristen Snell-Thomas is an exemplary leader and public servant who is fully prepared to lead our registration department," said Chief Hoskin. "Kristen has deep knowledge of Cherokee culture as well as experience working across teams within our government and with citizens out in our communities."

"It is an incredible honor to serve the Cherokee Nation and our citizens in this new role," said Snell-Thomas. "Throughout my life and career, I have been devoted to serving Cherokee communities and families and remain committed to strengthening the connection for our people to their tribe and our shared culture. I look forward to building on the Registration Department's strong foundation and serving our citizens throughout the reservation and across the country."

Cherokee Nation, the largest tribal nation in the country, has over 470,000 citizens, spread across the tribe's 7,000-mile reservation in northeast Oklahoma and throughout the United States. The citizenship, based on the Cherokee Nation's constitution, statutes and the turn of the 20^th century federal Dawes rolls, begins in the tribe's registration office which Thomas will lead if confirmed.

"Kristen Snell-Thomas has the skills, temperament and dedication to public service that will serve her well as Registrar," said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. "She has my full support."

Chief Hoskin's nomination of Snell-Thomas will go to the Council's Rules Committee and, if approved there, on to full council for consideration.

Thomas, if confirmed, will succeed Derrick Vann as Registrar. Vann recently resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

"I am proud of my time as Registrar, as well as my entire career at Cherokee Nation," said Vann. "Under my leadership - with the support of my team, the Hoskin/Warner Administration and the Council of the Cherokee Nation - the Registration Department has experienced a positive transformation."

"I will always be proud of my career with Cherokee Nation and wish my team, the Hoskin/Warner administration and all of Cherokee Nation's leadership well," said Vann.

Vann became Registrar in 2022 following his service in other leadership positions in Registration, including helping lead the department in an acting capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic which saw a dramatic increase in citizenship applications as well as response and recovery programs and services tied to citizenship.

"Derrick Vann is a talented Cherokee who will always be known and appreciated as someone who led the Registration department through challenging times and as someone who helped us seize opportunities to make improvements in the department," said Chief Hoskin. "We appreciate his service to the Cherokee people and wish him well."

Snell-Thomas has a bachelor's degree in cultural studies (Magna Cum Laude) and a master's degree in educational leadership (Summa Cum Laude), both from Northeastern State University.

Snell-Thomas began working for Cherokee Nation in 2002 as a Cultural Specialist at Cherokee Nation's language immersion school. She has been the Special Projects Officer for Community Engagement in Chief Hoskin's office since 2024.