Red Hoop Talk EP 6: Leonard M. Harjo, former Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Leonard M. Harjo was elected Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma in
August, 2009. Through September, 2017 Chief Harjo worked continuously to build a
sustainable Seminole Nation capable of enabling its 22,000 members to thrive culturally
and economically in the 21st Century and for generations to come.
Chief Harjo has the distinction of having graduated from the Yale School of Organization
and Management in 1988 with a Masters Degree in Public and Private Management, and
from Harvard University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Chief Harjo’s thirty years of professional experience with tribal governments and entities
includes executive management positions with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of
Health Administration and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Prior to attending Yale, he
held positions with the Oklahoma Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the
Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, and the United Indian Tribes of Western
Oklahoma and Kansas, Inc. Mr. Harjo left a promising consulting business to seek the
Office of Principal Chief.
While in office, Chief Harjo served as: Oklahoma City Area representative the Secretary of Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory Committee, Seminole Nation’s primary delegate to the National Congress of American Indians, Executive Council Member of the Five Civilized Tribes’ Inter-Tribal Council, and Trustee for the Seminole State College Educational Foundation.
Chief Harjo is Panther Clan and a member of the Tusekia Harjo Band. He is the son of
the late Floyd L. and Esther (Barnoskie) Harjo. Chief Harjo and his wife Sheila (Little)
raised four children, and are currently enjoying their seven grandchildren.
