Painttown Council Members

Tommye Saunooke is serving her seventh term as Painttown Council Representative. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University, and has a Masters Degree in Public Affairs. Tommye was appointed by Governor Beverly Purdue to serve on the Board of Trustees at Western Carolina University. She is a widow, and mother to Brad, Gerena, Kirk, and her adopted grandson Bradley. She is an active member of Olivet Methodist Church where she serves as Director of Finance. Tommye is a member of Phi Gamma Mu Society, which is a National Honors Society. She is an avid reader, walks daily, and interior design is an extended hobby. She enjoys being a Council member as it allows her to assist her people in all areas and be an active part of the governing body of the Eastern Band. Tommye believes in order to be an effective Council representative, you must be a willing servant to your people.

Committees – Health Board, HIP, Roads, Planning Board, Social Services, Lands Acquisition, HELP Representative










Terri Henry is serving her second term as a Painttown Council Representative. She graduated from Cherokee High School with Honors. In 1987, Ms. Henry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science-International Relations from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She also received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1993. Her work has always been focused on the recognition of the sovereignty of Indian Tribes and the principles of self-determination. In 1999, Terri returned home to found the Qualla Women’s Justice Alliance, and in 2001, she founded Clan Star, Inc. Ms. Henry also served the Tribe as an Associate Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court. Terri is a Co-Chair, founding and current member of the National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Native Women. Since 1996, she has been actively involved in the development and implementation of public policy addressing violence against native women while at the US Dept of Justice, and, the broader implications for children through Clan Star’s partnership with Sacred Circle, the National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women. Ms. Henry was born and raised on the Qualla Boundary and recognizes the benefit she has received from the sacrifices made by the Cherokee People to remain in our ancestral homelands and is dedicated to ensuring that the past actions against our People never happen again. Terri is committed to the standard for representation on Tribal Council – that government functions by and for the Cherokee People.

Committees: Community Services, Parks & Rec, School Board alternate, Parent Policy Alternate, QHA, Timber & Natural Resources, Enrollment, Lands Committee