This site is operated by Cherokee Gadugi of Tarrant County as a chartered satellite, non-profit, non-political organization of the Cherokee Nation. Its mission is dedicated to providing history, culture, heritage, tradition, language, and fellowship to our members who reside outside the Cherokee Nation boundaries.
Contact a Council Member Today
Our council strives to promote our mission and is open to online comments: info@cherokeegadugi.org
Leta Goodman Jones - President
Leta Jones Goodman, council member of Cherokee Gadugi since the beginning of of this organization in 2020. My ancestors on the Dawes Roll are my great grandmother Ella Nora Israel Rusk and her daughter and my grandmother Ada Maude Rusk. Pictured with me in the photo is my Gr Gr Gr Grandfather Kaselawi, named Israel by the Moravians, walked the Trail of Tears along with his wife and son, my Gr Gr grandfather who was only 1-year-old.
Cherokee Gadugi was formed in 2020 and our goal is to promote culture, history, language, and comradery with our fellow Cherokees and interested people. We chose the name Cherokee Gadugi, which means Cherokee working together. That is what we hope to accomplish together by learning the language, history and culture of our people.
I have been involved in the DFW Indian community since my children were very young and they are grandparents now! I am also a basket weaver, and I have won several awards.
Billy Hubbard - Council Member
Council member of Cherokee Gadugi since 2022 and Cherokee citizen since 2012, Hubbard and his wife Carol have been married for 54 years and have 4 sons and 6 grandchildren. 3 of his sons and 4 of his grandchildren are Cherokee citizens and the remaining son and grandchildren are in the process of getting their citizenship.
His great grandfather Albert Waters signed himself and his children, including Hubbard’s grandmother Ella May Waters Humphrey on the Dawes roll. In his ancestry, his sixth grandfather was Chief Yonaguska, the principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokees, from 1824 to 1839.
Billy R. Hubbard is a retired Lath and Plaster commercial contractor. He worked in this industry for 50 years and served as president of the Texas Lath and Plaster Association. For his service to this industry, the association presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Hubbard enjoys sports of all kinds and watching his grandchildren participate in school activities and sports. His greatest pleasure is going to his country home in Nocona, Texas and being outdoors and just observing the neighbors' cows, longhorns, horses and country wildlife.
Bill Goodman Jones - Membership
Since 2020 when Cherokee Gadugi was established, Bill has been the Membership Council person. His job is to keep track of all members and their attendance at meetings and events. He also provides reports to the Council as required.
Bill's Cherokee roots come from his Great Grandmother, Letha Lavisa Cothern. She and her parents lived in East Texas when the Dawes Rolls were taken in Indian Territory.