MY STORY

My name is Sara Drywater Barnett. I was born at Hastings Hospital to a single mother in 1986. I have lived in Tahlequah my entire life and was raised in a large family with lots of cousins, aunts and uncles and one grandma who managed to keep me in line. 

I attended Kindergarten-8th grade at Grand View School, where I played every sport they offered. It was that small country school atmosphere that taught me to be tough, to work hard and to be a team player. Plus I was an only child with 15+ first cousins so I learned a lot from growing up with all of them too.

I graduated from Tahlequah High School in 2004 where track and volleyball were my main focuses. After graduation I attended classes at Northeastern State University. In 2014 I received an Associates Degree in Healthcare Administration.

I have over 15 years of business experience that I’ve earned while working at Meigs Jewelry in Tahlequah where I am currently the operations and marketing manager.

In 2021, my grandma passed. My best friend, my other mom, the matriarch of our family was gone. During her life, she worked to preserve the art and traditions of our people. Her passing affected me deeply. I felt like there was something more I needed to be doing to serve my people. I felt I needed to honor her and continue her legacy. 

When presented with this opportunity to run for Council, It was something I didn’t immediately say yes to. There was a lot of thought that went into this. Later that thought turned to excitement. I’d tell my husband, “Think about all of the things we could do for our people but at a much higher level!”

I know now that the feeling I had then and still do to this day is the feeling of pride I will have when I’m elected to serve as your Tribal Councilor on July 8th!