Guy Barker (politician)

Prior to running for office, Barker worked as a petroleum engineer and attorney.^[3] Barker ran for Quapaw Nation secretary-treasurer in 2020 and was elected to his first term, defeating incumbent Tamara Smiley-Reeves.^[4] He campaigned for election with his cousin, Joseph Tali Byrd, who was elected chairman of the tribe in the same election.^[5] Barker came into office after a forensic audit of the Tribe resulted in the indictment of former Quapaw Nation Chairman John Berrey and former Quapaw Nation Secretary-Treasurer Tamara Smiley Reeves for mishandling $7 million.^[6]

While in office Barker pursued a settlement of the Quapaw Nation's claim for damages against the United States for damage done to Tar Creek (referred to as the "Bear Settlement" by the Quapaw Nation).^[7] He also oversaw the increase in the tribe's Saracen Casino Resort credit rating by Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings and oversaw the reinvestment in the tribes criminal justice system after the reestablishment of the Quapaw reservation in a follow-up case to the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision.^[8][9] He was named "Tribal Executive of the Year" in 2021.^[5]

Barker ran for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in 2022 after incumbent Markwayne Mullin announced his retirement to run for the open U.S. Senate seat.^[2] He placed fifth and failed to qualify for the runoff.^[10]

Barker ran for reelection in the 2022 Quapaw Nation elections, facing challenger Kathryn "Wena" Supernaw.^[5] Supernaw defeated Barker in the July election.^[11]