New Year and Expanded Objectives for the Cherokee Nation

The beginning of a fresh, new year is always a great time to reflect on our achievements and develop resolutions that can be accomplished in the upcoming months. In 2013, we achieved many dreams for the Cherokee Nation.   The hardworking staff of the Nation worked diligently to fulfill the hallmark of my administration: Homes ~ Health ~ Hope. More than 100 Cherokee families celebrated Christmas in new homes built by our housing department, and every month more Cherokee families are moving into their brand-new homes. We made a record $100...

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SNAP funding critical to Cherokee Nation, Indian Country

As part of the Farm Bill reauthorization in the House of Representatives, the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding will be substantially cut. This cut is harmful for Cherokee Nation citizens and will hurt Indian Country. In many homes, food stamps are the only means and access to quality, nutritious foods. A proposed nearly $40 billion cut in SNAP, which funds our state’s food stamp program, will have a dire effect on hundreds of Native families in northeast Oklahoma, harming the health and well-being of many Cherokee citizens....

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9/11 Remembrance

Today we honor our fellow Americans who lost their lives and their loved ones 12 years ago on 9/11. While we remember the tragedy of 9/11 we also remember the hope, the coming together of our Nation and the pride that were forged on that day. We honor those victims, survivors and the emergency responders left in the wake of the attacks on America. And we are reminded of that feeling once again of working closely with our friends, our families and our neighbors to improve our world. We all remember where we were that fateful day as we...

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Cherokee Nation, State Sign Historic Car Tag Compact

Cherokee Nation citizens living in all 77 Oklahoma counties can now buy a Cherokee Nation license plate. With a recently signed compact in place, all Cherokee citizens will soon have the opportunity to display a Cherokee tag on their car or recreational vehicle. The Cherokee Nation is the first tribe to sign a compact with the state of Oklahoma that will offer car tags to its citizens statewide. This is an historic agreement between the state...

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Vinita Community Mtg Last Night

Enjoyed seeing a lot of old friends and catching up with Cherokee Nation citizens at the community meeting held last night at the Vinita Cherokee Health Clinic. We had a great crowd and we updated citizens on programs and efforts at Cherokee Nation.   ...

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New Spider Gallery Now Open

Cutting the Ribbon on Cherokee Nation's new art center - the Spider Gallery  The newly expanded and more visible Cherokee Arts Center “Spider Gallery” is officially open in downtown Tahlequah. “This new space gives the Cherokee Nation an opportunity to showcase our fabulous artists’ work,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. “It’s not only a place to display it, but a place to sell it, a place for us to help advertise it around the world,...

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Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes Statement on Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Veronica Brown

Statement from Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker, President of Inter-Tribal, Muscogee Creek Nation Chief George Tiger, Choctaw Nation Chief Greg Pyle, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, and Seminole Nation Chief Leonard Harjo RE: In Support of the NCAI/NARF/NICWA Civil Lawsuit to Defend the Civil Rights of “Baby Veronica” and Her Right to a Fair Best Interest Hearing “We stand today representing our five nations and joining with sovereign Indian nations across the United...

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Cherokee Phoenix Column: Cherokee Foster Families Needed

Cherokee Foster Families Needed By Principal Bill John Baker When I was elected Principal Chief, I promised I would do everything in my power to improve the lives of Cherokee youth. We have enjoyed many successes including more monies for education, and expanded health care coverage. However, we are still in dire need in one area: foster and adoptive families for our Indian Child Welfare program. As you know, our children ensure the continued existence of our tribe, they are our future.  As Cherokee people, we all come from...

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Statement on "Baby Veronica" case decision today from SCOTUS

"While we are thankful that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act and protected a law vital to the survival of Indian country, we are deeply, deeply disappointed that this case was not fully resolved. We believe Veronica Brown’s best interests are served continuing to live in a loving home with her biological father Dusten Brown. My heart, and no doubt the hearts of all of Indian Country, goes out to Dusten, our fellow Cherokee citizen, and his entire family – his parents, his wife and two small children, including Veronica. Everything...

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Teaming with State to Create Jobs

This profile is from the NW Arkansas Media... LED-maker moves plant to U.S. Arkansas-based firm will manufacture in Oklahoma By John Magsam NextGen Illumination Inc. is moving its manufacturing operation from overseas to Oklahoma. The Fayetteville-based maker of light-emitting diode lighting for industrial, commercial, residential and agricultural applications has struck a deal with Cherokee Nation Industries to build products in Stilwell, Okla., a few miles from the Arkansas border. The company’s manufacturing operation had been...

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Cherokee Heritage Center opens Diligwa

New village portrays most authentic Cherokee experience based in early 1700s Cherokee Heritage Center officials celebrated Monday the opening of Diligwa, a new village portraying the most authentic Cherokee experience based on life in 1710. Diligwa replaces the Ancient Village, which opened in 1967 and was originally designed as an interpretive area to showcase Cherokee daily life prior to European contact. The new village...

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Cherokee Nation employee named Oklahoma Special Olympics Coach of the Year

I’m so happy for Bea Dougherty being named 2013 Special Olympics of Oklahoma Coach of the Year in Oklahoma. It is well-deserved recognition. She inherently embodies the values we hold in such high regard at the Cherokee Nation: dedication and commitment to youth, community and family. I respect the time and energy Bea invests in her athletes, encouraging them to set individual goals and train with them to attain their dreams. Bea, who works as a family social worker for the Cherokee Nation Child Development Center in Tahlequah, received the title...

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"Remember the Removal" riders leave for Georgia

The 2013 Remember the Removal Bike Ride commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Tears. 15 young Cherokee nation citizens will spend the next three weeks on bikes retracing their ancestors’ footsteps along the northern route, which passes through seven states. These men and women will retrace our tribal nation’s route to Oklahoma – from our ancestral homelands in the east to our current capital city. It will be a personal and life-changing...

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Cherokee Nation on standby to help Moore tornado victims

Words simply cannot describe how heartbreaking the scene in Moore and the surrounding area is, and will continue to be. Our hearts, minds and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the two dozen victims and their families, a number which includes at least nine innocent children. The Cherokee Nation is in constant contact with emergency management teams in the area, and we have offered every available resource to assist with rescue, recovery and ongoing support. Teams of volunteers, including the Cherokee Nation...

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A Message for New High School Graduates

All across America, Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation, high school seniors are preparing to graduate, and are busy making plans for their futures, whether they go directly to work or choose to continue their education. It is an exciting time, and life offers a series of options. I remember my graduation from Tahlequah High School like it was yesterday, even though it has been a little bit longer than that. It was a time of both possibility and uncertainty. Like many high school graduates, I didn't know for sure what I wanted to do or what...

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See You at the Stilwell Strawberry Festival

​The 66th Annual Stilwell Strawberry Festival will be held this weekend and the Cherokee Nation will be in the parade and have info booths set up. Every year, crowds of thousands come to Stilwell to sample the local berries. Go to www.strawberrycapital.com for more informatio...

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Did you know....Cherokee Female Seminary Hall history

Did you know... The original Cherokee Female Seminary Hall was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday of 1887. On May 7, 1889, the rebuilt site was dedicated from the second story porch behind the east wing of the building. The Cherokee Female Seminary was the one of the first institutions for higher learning for women west of the Mississippi. Its original site was located where the Cherokee Heritage Center is today. Pillars that...

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New Inter-Tribal Council President

(Left) Assuming the duties of Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes President today from Chief George Tiger of the Muscogee Creek Nation. We hosted the meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.I look forward to working for this organization as chairman in the upcoming year. I think together we can achieve great things for our collective tribal nations. It is the spirit of cooperation that fuels our mission as an Inter-Tribal Council. Together,...

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Cherokee Nation hosts U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

The Cherokee Nation recently hosted New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall in Tahlequah and showed him the successes of our housing, education and health care programs. As a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Udall has earned a well-deserved reputation as a principled leader who has the integrity to do what is right for sovereign tribal governments. Without a doubt, Sen. Udall is one of the biggest champions for Indian Country in Con...

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One Fire Center Launched

The Charles L. Head ONE FIRE Center was created to immediately wrap our arms around women and children who have survived domestic violence and child abuse. We will provide our Cherokee women and children a safe haven from dangerous situations. And we will help them begin the healing process through our Cherokee Nation programs. We will work to meet their needs for health care, jobs, housing, legal counsel and other services. It...

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Testimony Before U.S. House on American Indian/Alaska Native funding

I delivered testimony today in Washington, DC before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. It was part of a tribal leader’s panel invited to deliver comments on funding for American Indian/Alaska Native programs. The testimony in full: Osiyo. Chairman Simpson, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is Bill John Baker and I am the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation is proud of...

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Kudos to Dianne Barker Harrold for Well Deserved Honor from DOJ

My good friend Dianne Barker Harrold was recently given a 2013 National Crime Victims’ Service Award from the U.S. Department of Justice. Read about her journey he...

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Meeting with U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

Recently met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack at a University of Arkansas’ distinguished lecture series event. We discussed the USDA’s Keepseagle legal settlement and the Cherokee Nation’s commitment to revitalizing the role Native American agriculture plays in today’s society. Additionally, I thanked Secretary Vilsack for the opportunities to support USDA through federal contracts with Cherokee Nation...

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Investing CNB Profits Into Cherokee Health Care

The Cherokee Nation recently launched an overhaul to our health care system – the country’s largest tribally operated health system – with a $100 million investment from Cherokee Nation Businesses.  For the first time ever, we are utilizing our businesses profits to grow tribal infrastructure and improve the health of our people. We are at a moment in time when we can make the right kind of choices that will reap benefits for generations...

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Remembering What Matters Most on Easter Sunday

Today, my family and I will join many Oklahomans and Cherokee citizens nationwide in celebrating the Easter holiday. It marks an annual day to share in the miracle of resurrection and enjoy the blessings of family, cherished friends, and community. This holiday is a joyous time to celebrate our salvation, give praise to our heavenly father and be grateful for new beginnings.  Jesus is a reminder that hope can find its way out of darkness and despair. Even in these difficult economic times, a renewed sense of hope can be felt at the Cherokee...

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