In a year riddled with history-making tribal events, the Cherokee Nation added yet another first to its roster: a formal, public debate between candidates for principal and deputy chief.

Candidates included incumbent Principal Chief Chad Smith and Stacy Leeds, and incumbent Deputy Chief Joe Grayson Jr. and Raymond Vann. The event, sponsored by the Cherokee Phoenix, was held at the Tahlequah Armory Municipal Center, with over 300 people in attendance...