The Cherokee Nation has grown significantly, with over 460,000 people making it America’s largest tribe.
Hundreds of thousands of Cherokee people of all ages deserve world-class facilities that benefit our health, education, safety, and community life and culture. As such, we allocated nearly $1.2 billion to his more than 60 construction projects, making the largest single capital investment in our history.
These investments reach every corner of the 7,000-square-mile Cherokee Nation reservation in northeastern Oklahoma. Projects range from community centers to medical facilities, from Head Start centers to expanded corporate headquarters complexes. Taken together, they exemplify Deputy Chief Brian Warner’s and my dedication to building a stronger, more accessible Cherokee Nation.
I am especially proud of our investments in rural areas on the reservation. Places like Marble City and Kenwood are often overlooked but important centers where the Cherokee language flourishes and many families live according to core Cherokee values.
This isn’t just about infrastructure. It is about providing our people with the means to thrive in their homeland. From Kenwood’s state-of-the-art Head Start facility with heated floors for our youngest learners to Stilwell’s Edna Holland Wellness Center with indoor walking track, we create spaces that foster a sense of belonging and pride. Masu.
Comprehensive investing demonstrates our holistic approach. $551.1 million for health. $194.4 million for education. $124.2 million for government infrastructure; $83.4 million in wellness; $76.5 million for human services; $67.8 million for community projects. $63.2 million for language initiatives. $10 million for carrier services. $3.1 million for infrastructure. and $2.7 million for law enforcement.
These numbers are more than just numbers. They represent our commitment to improving every aspect of Cherokee people’s lives.
One cornerstone of this transformation is a new hospital currently under construction in Tahlequah and a clinic planned for Salina. Both of these new locations will provide critical health services and allow people to stay close to home and family when they need care.
It will also add a public safety building that will serve as a 61,500-square-foot hub for emergency operations. The facility will house more than 90 employees and include a training center for first responders who keep our communities safe.
Our capital investments also grow local economies and provide great job opportunities for our people. WW Even when we demolish outdated buildings, like the old hotel on the Keeler Tribal Campus, we make room for modern facilities that will better serve future generations.
The Cherokee Nation is a leader in Indian Country and Oklahoma’s best model for how government can uplift its people. We’re not just building physical structures, we’re creating connected and empowered citizens. Our vision is clear. It’s about creating an environment where Cherokee people can live, work, play and thrive across the reservation for generations to come.
Chuck Hoskin Jr. is a Cherokee chief.
