TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Two Cherokee Nation District Court Judges were sworn into office by District Judge T. Luke Barteaux in the Cherokee Nation Court Chambers recently.
Judge Nathan Barnard was sworn in as a Cherokee Nation District Court Judge for a second term, while Judge Nicholas Goodwin was sworn into office for his first term after assisting the court as a special judge for the past year.
“The Cherokee people are in good hands with Judge Barnard and Judge Goodwin. Both judges hold the distinction of serving in a judiciary during a period of dramatic change and expansion,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “Not since the 19th century has so much been asked of the Cherokee Nation judiciary. Our citizens are counting on, and the world looking upon, our ability to meet this moment. And since the reaffirmation of the Cherokee Nation Reservation in 2020, we have been meeting the moment together.”
Both district judges received confirmation from the Council of the Cherokee Nation prior to their swearing-in ceremony.
“Ever since the McGirt ruling, we have had people both supportive and unsupportive of our sovereign nation, and we always have people waiting for us to fail, but we have not failed. And our court system has been overwhelmingly successful,” said Speaker of the Council Mike Shambaugh. “Both of these judges are fair and impartial. I appreciate their service, and on behalf of the Cherokee Nation Council, we look forward to you stepping into our system and being a part of history.”
Judge Barnard has served as Cherokee Nation District Court Judge for four years, working primarily in the Juvenile Justice system.
“I thank Chief Hoskin for the nomination, and I thank the Council for the confirmation. I want to thank my wife of 25 years for supporting at all times, and I also want to thank Judge Barteaux,” Judge Barnard said during the ceremony.
Judge Goodwin becomes Cherokee Nation’s fourth district judge along with Judges Barnard, Barteaux, and Janice Walters Purcell.
Judge Goodwin began assisting the Cherokee Nation District Court as a special judge last year. Since then, he has overseen adult criminal arraignments and victim protective orders. Upon his swearing-in as the District Court’s fourth judge, he will take over former District Court Judge Amy Page’s domestic violence review docket. Page stepped aside from her role as District Court Judge after being appointed to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court, where she took her oath of office in March 2025.