Tell us about yourself and your family.
I was born and raised in Cherokee. I attended Cherokee Elementary and graduated with honors from Cherokee High School. This foundation was my pathway to the University of North Carolina and the University of Iowa Law School. The foundations for my life are built upon the influence and lessons learned from the stories of my relatives. My career path has been rooted in ensuring that the actions against our People in the past never occur again. Cherokee is my home, and my goal is to open the doors of this government to the people of this Nation. I am the daughter of Ralph and Joan Smith Henry. My maternal grandparents are Elma Arch Smith, daughter of Johnson and Ella Long Arch of Yellowhill, and Charles Smith, son of Jacob and Olive Larch Smith of Wolfetown. My paternal grandparents are Ida Lee (Dixie) Cooper Henry Arneach, daughter of Arnold and Myrtle Cooper of Yellowhill, and Raymond Henry, son of Bob and Pearl Cagle Henry of Seymour, Tennessee.

Why did you decide to go to law school and what have you done since receiving your degree?
I graduated from UNC-A with Bachelors in Political Science-International Relations in 1987. As you can imagine, the job market for this degree field was not so obvious. After graduation, I worked in Congressman James McClure Clarke's District Office in Asheville, NC, and then moved to the Washington, DC area to work at the US Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland, MD. While in Washington, I was introduced to human rights lawyers of the Indian Law Resource Center, Inc., who advocate for Indigenous People in the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. In my work there, I saw how I could utilize my bachelor's degree and field of study through advocacy for Indigenous People. I was inspired, then, to go to law school.

In the summer of 1990, I attended the Pre-law Summer Institute at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was recruited to the University of Iowa-College of Law at Iowa City, Iowa. I chose Iowa because it was ranked in the top 20 for law schools, taught Federal Indian Law by a reputable law professor, has a top notch international law program and, in particular a Native law professor who taught international indigenous human rights law. While at Iowa, I had the opportunity to study Comparative International Law through the University of Bordeaux in southern France and complete an Independent Study at the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights Working Group on Indigenous People in Geneva, Switzerland. Since graduating from law school, Terri has worked in a variety of areas. In 1996, she joined the US Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office to direct policies and programs for Indian tribes. In this capacity, Terri directed and helped to develop training and technical assistance for over 250 American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.

Through Terri's leadership, the first Native based federal programming to address violence against Native women became a reality. Terri initiated training for tribal judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and advocates to enhance tribal governmental efforts to address the safety of Native women. Programming under her direction recognized the sovereignty of Indian Tribes and the principles of self-determination. In 1999, Terri returned home to Cherokee to found the Qualla Women's Justice Alliance, and in 2001, she founded Clan Star, Inc. As the Principal Director of Clan Star, Inc., she is an agent of change and dedicated to the sovereignty of Indian tribes and Native women.

Terri formerly served the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as an Associate Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court. She also worked with Sacred Circle, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges on the Green book project, and Mending the Sacred Hoop on violence against women initiatives. In 1993, Terri served as an Appeals Magistrate in the Cherokee Court of Indian Offenses (CFR Court) and an Associate Justice in the Cherokee Supreme Court in 2000.

Terri is a founding and current member of the National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Native Women. Terri has been involved in the development and implementation of public policy addressing violence against Native women and the broader implications for children through Clan Star's partnership with Sacred Circle, the National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women. Terri is co-editor of the Restoration of Native Sovereignty magazine that is published by Sacred Circle. The Restoration of Native Sovereignty magazine provides a briefing to Tribal Leaders and others interested in following the development of current public policy issues addressing violence against women.

Terri recently served the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as the Director of Public Safety. Her position portfolio included the Tribal Domestic Violence Program, Child Advocacy Program, Juvenile Services Program, Emergency Management, Cherokee Fire and Rescue, Tribal EMS, Central Dispatch, Fish and Game including the Tribal Trout Hatchery and Animal Control. Terri inherited and implemented the development of the Emergency Operations Center project during her tenure with the tribe. Terri completed an Independent Study program at the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations with Professor James S. Anaya in Geneva, Switzerland, and has since participated in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York City in May 2005. She recently participated in the 72nd Session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) February 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland. Terri worked at the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington, DC and the US Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland. Terri was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Indian Law Resource Center in 2009.

Terri resides in the Painttown Community of the Qualla Boundary. In 2009, she was elected to represent the Painttown Community on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian's Tribal Council.

How did the Yogi Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund help you achieve your law school goals?
The Yogi Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund helped me achieve my law school goals specifically with support for school supplies, but more importantly, the Fund's commitment to me in this way encouraged me with confidence to complete my educational pursuits. It was comforting to know that, even though I was halfway across the United States, folk in Cherokee - the Fund's Board of Directors - had faith in my capabilities to succeed.

Any advice or words of wisdom for potential graduate students or anything else you would like to add?
Reflecting back on my educational journey, I have come to realize that there are times when what you are interested in or want to do doesn't seem to naturally "fit" what our tribe needs. I encourage all students to follow their dream(s). For while you are working through your seemingly "unorthodox" course of study, there will come a day when you figure out how to create your niche in the world and everything will come together for you.

My professional and life experience, including the privilege of travel, have enriched my capabilities in serving the Painttown Community. Every educational opportunity, job, and exposure to this world have been stepping-stones to where I am today. While you are paying your dues - and, yes, you have to pay dues along your career path - pay attention to what you're experiencing in that moment, then envision where you see yourself when you reach your goal and you will be there. Or, at least you will see yourself on your way.