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onodev Osceola Chaudhuri may be the first formally appointed Ambassador for Muscogee (Creek) Nation, but he's quick to point out that his role is nothing new. "Emissaries or diplomats have been a part of our tribe's history since time immemorial," said Chaudhuri, whose ambassador position was created in 2019 by an act of Muscogee (Creek) Nation's National Council with the Chief's approval. "The diplomat function predates not just removal but European contact." Based in Washington, D.C., Chaudhuri's primary goal is to advance the policy positions of Muscogee (Creek) Nation leadership. That means testifying on the Nation's behalf at hearings in the Senate and House of Representatives, holding meetings with congressional leadership, and coordinating with federal agencies. "If I'm doing my job, I'm hearing Chief's voice, and I'm hearing the Council's voice effectively and ensuring that voice is a part of conversations that can positively impact our citizens and really anyone who lives in our current or ancestral homelands." Chaudhuri's role, now a part of the Nation's formal laws, builds on the history of the tribe's government-to-government international engagement. Reclaiming the right Today, Muscogee (Creek) Nation is one of very few tribal nations with a formal ambassador position, but historically, most tribes had special emissaries who performed specific functions when engaging with surrounding tribes, European powers, and later the American colonies. Chitto Harjo, an early 20th-century tribal leader and orator, served as emissary for the Nation to the U.S. federal government. Harjo traveled to Washington D.C. to speak to the Senate, advocating against the allotment of tribal lands in Oklahoma. "A lot of that, unfortunately, fell off the map for Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other tribes when we were battling for basic existence," Chaudhuri said, adding that when Muscogee (Creek) Nation was removed to Indian Territory, and Oklahoma became a U.S. state, there was a concerted effort to limit the tribe's function as a true government, including the ability to elect its own leadership, and even doing away with the position of Principal Chief. The denial of rights to the tribe included any nation-to-nation diplomacy. But with the creation of a formal ambassador position in 2019, the Nation is officially reclaiming its legal right as a sovereign nation to advocate for its people. "In this period of renewal and rebirth that Muscogee (Creek) Nation is in the midst of," said Chaudhuri, "the creation of an ambassador who can perform those diplomatic functions flows from our historic sovereignty and our cultural traditions, through government." A legacy of advocacy Chaudhuri's work builds on his family legacy of community service and advocacy. A former practicing attorney and tribal court judge, he says the only reason he went to law school was to hopefully serve as a "sidekick" to his mother, supporting her advocacy on behalf of Native communities and other underrepresented groups. Inspired by her parents who continuously fought to protect Muscogee (Creek) Nation sovereignty, Jean Hill was a relentless advocate and powerful orator. Among her many major achievements in Indian Country were the opening of one of the first Urban Indian healthcare clinics in the country, preserving Phoenix Indian School lands for public use in Arizona, and launching a prison counseling program for J FROM TOP LEFT: Chaudhuri at the MCN capitol in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Chaudhuri meets with Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation David Hill at the Nation's capitol in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. incarcerated Natives. "She was amazing," said Chaudhuri of his mom, who passed away during his first year of law school. "There's just all sorts of things she did to preserve human dignity among Native people and that was something that inspired me," said Chaudhuri. "Growing up as a kid, I wanted to do my part to help." Chaudhuri's path to Ambassador gave him an experiential arsenal that has proven crucial to his work. In 2012, Chaudhuri made the move to Washington, D.C. where he served in the U.S. Department of the Interior as Senior Counselor (a key advisor) to the Assistant Secretary of Tribal Affairs. From there, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as the Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). NIGC is the chief federal regulator of the Indian gaming industry and oversees about 500 gaming facilities throughout Indian Country. A $38 billion industry, Indian Gaming is a major economic driver in Indian Country; Chaudhuri knew how crucial it was to get it right. But a er nearly six years with NIGC, he felt drawn back to the Nation. "I think it's pretty universal among Native people," said Chaudhuri. "There's a desire to serve your nation directly." McGirt v. Oklahoma Having testified a number of times in before Congress, Chaudhuri knew federal relationships would be critical to his role as ambassador. But what he didn't anticipate was the importance of his relationships with other tribal nations. And when Muscogee (Creek) 112 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023