Lavita “Muffin” Hill – Kolanvyi (Big Cove) Dinilawigi candidate

For 30 years I’ve had a dream to serve the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a Tribal Councilwoman. I was still in high school but knew this was my main goal. There were few women trailblazers, but they existed, and I looked up to them.

My name is Lavita “Muffin” Hill. I live in Kolanvyi with my husband, Chris Siewers, my daughter, Aia, and granddaughter, Violet. I have two sons, Aura and Raven, that are out on their own. My parents are Sonny Hill and Barbara Sequoyah Hill. My maternal grandparents are Emerson Sequoyah and Phyllis Smith Sequoyah; my paternal grandparents are Jesse Hill, Sr. and Yonnie Watty Hill. I am a member of the Long Hair clan.

To do this day, I can honestly say I have only ever been given one thing. In 2005 my grandma Yonnie gave me 1-acre of land at the foot of her property in Big Cove. This was so I could raise my children there. From there, I’ve worked hard to achieve everything else. I grew up quite poor and I still remember the bullies that hated me for wearing plastic shoes. I didn’t even understand the difference between plastic and leather at the time. I never got beat up in school, but I suffered many days. Despite the bullying, I loved school. I loved reading and math. Math became my passion. Throughout elementary school, I shopped at the flea market, and I thought it was the best! I helped Grandma Yonnie in her gardens, and I did the chores she asked for. Every Sunday, she took me to church at Straight Fork. I remember the most beautiful women there – Martha Ross, Janie Taylor, Maggie Lossiah, Elsie Watty and of course Granny Rachel. Grandma Yonnie was incredibly strong and loving, nurturing and wise, and she was a giver. She shaped me and now I aim to carry the things she gave me to give back to our people.

As a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I believe in leadership that listens, represents, and uplifts every voice in the community. I’m running to bring fresh energy, transparent communication, and strong advocacy for our people and future generations.

I am the best candidate for this role because my heart is for our people. I am thoughtful, caring, intelligent, and educated. While those are nice leadership qualities, a good heart and desire to serve our people is what sets me apart from the other candidates. I will commit my time, energy and resources to uplifting and empowering our community. When I say I will fight for our people I mean it. I am outspoken, diligent, and I don’t claim to know everything, but I will listen to, research, and find answers. The next time someone in the audience says, raise your hand if you’ve read the resolution, the grant award, or any other document, I will raise my hand because I will be prepared and ready to serve.

Throughout my campaign I have said the EBCI is a multibillion-dollar operation. I have worked for our tribal government for 23 years and I worked for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for three years. In my current role with EBCI, I am the Treasury Specialist. I administer our tribe’s investment accounts, serve alongside the Investment Committee, manage the Minors Fund distributions, and coordinate the VITA tax program. My other tribal jobs have been Financial Analyst, Purchasing Manager, Sr. Grants & Contracts Compliance Officer, Grant Writer, and Financial Skills Educator. I will use my education and work experience to best serve our Tribal members with sound financial decision making.

My top priority is returning the Council House to the people. My personal platform is to serve – intelligently, in a caring but wise way. I will always seek answers from my Heavenly Father, and I will take matters back to the community for their input. I want to ensure the community has an active opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns before I go vote in the Council chambers on something that directly affects them. I want to work together to strengthen our traditions, protect our sovereignty, and build a better tomorrow – together. Sgi.

Vote for Lavita “Muffin’ Hill. Please contact me anytime to discuss the things that matter to you. Phone: 828-736-3126; Email: lavitalhill@gmail.com.