Claim: Robbie Hedges, preceded by Joe Goforth as the chief of the Peoria (derived from their autonym "peewaareewa" ) tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, was the first woman elected as Chief of the Peoria Tribe in 2000.
Evidence: Joe Goforth First woman elected as Chief of the Peoria Tribe, in 2000 The name "Peoria" derives from their autonym or name for themselves in the Illinois language, peewaareewa (modern pronunciation peewaalia).