Dr. Brucie Ogletree Richardson

“The Chief’s position doesn’t necessarily have to be filled by a male. Women can hold the position and be role models as tribal leaders,” says Chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Dr. Brucie Ogletree Richardson.  

Elected in 2014, Chief Dr. Richardson became the first woman to serve as the Tribal Chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe. Chief Dr. Richardson reports that North Carolina has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River and recognizes a total of eight tribes across the state. The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe is the third-largest tribe in the state with about 4,000 enrolled members, primarily residing in Halifax, Warren, Nash, and Franklin Counties. As Chief, Dr. Richardson works to represent and promote the cultural and traditional heritage of the Tribe to its members and the public. 

A proud Haliwa-Saponi Indian woman, Chief Dr. Richardson concentrates her efforts on supporting the needs of members and creating economic opportunities to strengthen tribal self-sufficiency. Since becoming Chief, she’s built the first housing units for tribal citizens, secured a more than half-million-dollar grant to support tribal schools, purchased prime property in the tribal community, and visited congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss federal recognition efforts. 

Chief Dr. Richardson’s unique position in the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe is helping to normalize women’s leadership roles in tribal affairs. When she decided to run, she recognized that she had many barriers to overcome. Chief Dr. Richardson’s active involvement and leadership abilities in tribal activities led her to victory, breaking a 49-year-long history of male leadership. She believes in getting more young women to consider the path she took and says, “I encourage women and girls to be civically and politically engaged in the community by being visible and participating in tribal, community, and church activities.”