Adair said, "The need for strong leadership combined with a vision of progress for tomorrow" is what led him, a full-blood Keetoowah, to run for chief.
Adair, 49, a resident of Sequoyah County, is fluent in the Keetoowah language. He is asking Keetoowah tribal members to vote for economic development, employment for Keetoowah people and unity among the council and administration by casting their ballots for him on Nov. 1 in the Keetoowah election.
A councilman for Illinois District, Adair said he decided to seek the office as chief in an attempt to do what is right for the Keetoowah people. Tribal problems Adair alleged include poor audits, wasteful spending, dismantling of the Keetoowah Housing Board and termination of Keetoowah employees with no policies or procedures for protection, and bad publicity.
"If elected as chief, I will do my best to provide stronger and trustworthy administration. As a council member, I have pushed for two major businesses, which would have brought revenue and employment for the tribe. The present chief failed to follow through with these businesses even after gaining the full council's support," Adair said.
Adair said he is currently developing a business plan to provide jobs for the people, provide a burial assistance program and improve the services as well as seeking funds to provide free housing for the elderly.
"I also want to help the young Keetoowah couples who might be struggling to make ends meet," Adair said.
A native of Adair County, Adair is the son of Katie Adair of Sallisaw and the late John B. Adair, a World War II Army veteran. He is the grandson of the late James and Susie Vann and the late Thomas and Mariah Jones Adair.
Adair is also a direct descendant of James Vann, a leader among the Cherokees prior to the forced removal, which has become known as the Trail of Tears.
He has attended schools in Adair County and Drumright, and studied business at Bacone College in Muskogee. A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Adair has been a strong advocate for Keetoowah veterans, and was instrumental in making veteran tribal car tags available for $15 or less for all Keetoowah veterans.
"I've spent over 20 years driving a truck, attending ballgames and church with my family, and getting involved in the Keetoowah government. My boys have grown up attending council meetings and taking part in the various programs and activities sponsored by the tribe. They know what growing up as a Keetoowah is all about," Adair said.
Adair said his wife, Lynn, has worked for three chiefs and is familiar with the sacrifices and the time it takes for a person to lead a tribe. Adair said he recently made his first trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the grand opening of the Native American Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. During that time, Adair said he met with various tribal leaders and Washington representatives.
During his campaign for election as a council member, Adair said he told the people he would be their voice. Now he is seeking to go one step higher because as a chief, Adair said he is not limited to one vote, but can make a difference when people are counting on him.
"A wise man once said that a great leader should not be remembered for the accomplishments he made while leading his people, but for the accomplishments his people made under his leadership. I want to be that kind of chief because our government should belong to the Keetoowah people.
I want our Keetoowahs to be an accomplished people and I ask for their support in November," Adair said.
