Washington (CNN) The Cherokee Nation has named an official representative to Congress for the first time.

Kimberly Teehee, executive director of government relations for the Cherokee Nation, was approved by the Council of the Cherokee Nation as a delegate to the US House of Representatives on Thursday, fulfilling a promise made to the tribe in a nearly 200-year-old treaty with the federal government.

A former senior policy adviser for Native American Affairs during President Barack Obama's administration, she was nominated by Chuck Hoskin Jr., chief principal of the Cherokee Nation. She is also a former senior adviser to the US House Native American Caucus Co-Chair former Rep. Dale Kildee and has held various positions within the Cherokee Nation.

The treaty doesn't specify if Teehee would be a voting member of the legislature, and her appointment requires congressional approval. But Hoskin said her role may be similar to those who represent Washington, DC, and five US territories -- Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the US Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana islands -- who can't vote on the House floor but can introduce legislation, vote in their respective committees and debate on the floor.

Teehee said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday she is "humbled" to be nominated for an "extraordinary responsibility" and is grateful for an opportunity to serve the Cherokee Nation.

Read More