Diversifying the Cherokee portfolio through federal contracts

Cherokee Nation’s entertainment venues are thriving these days and provide budget dollars that fund services for our people.  That is a good thing for all of northeast Oklahoma.  However, real, long-term success for the tribe and for our future cannot hinge on just one industry. Diversification is essential.

At Cherokee Nation, it is important to become less dependent on gaming dollars, so our businesses are making a concerted effort to diversify, broaden and expand.  Today, we have 35 active business enterprises with a far-reaching scope of services.

In fiscal year 2015, about 33 percent of CNB’s revenue was earned by diversified businesses. That represents about $312 million in annual revenue.  

We have worked diligently to expand and diversify our economic mix. Federal contracting for tribes, or 8(a) contracting, is a critical part of our business portfolio for the future. For the Cherokee Nation, there is no faster growing industry.

Recently, we hosted the national conference of the Native American Contractors Association, and our vice president of government relations, Kim Teehee, was elected to be the president of this important group in the upcoming year. Cherokee Nation Businesses ranks among the top five largest tribal federal contractors in the nation. We remain a leader among tribal nations in this arena.

We are proud to play an important role in some of the nation’s biggest and most important research, scientific and defense stories.

We have been providing services to the Department of Defense through CNB’s federal solutions sector. We have secured contracts for unmanned aerial vehicle research on how hurricanes form. We have completed construction projects for Bureau of Indian Affairs schools as well as military installations. We have secured contracts to help the Internal Revenue Service with data management and security.

Our ability to secure these federal contracts means the federal government has confidence in us to provide the highest quality of work.  We have plans to build on our capabilities and secure federal contracts that match our management expertise.

These advancements mean jobs. We want to fulfill these federal contract obligations by hiring our citizens to execute the contracts.  CNB has always been committed to filling employment opportunities with qualified Cherokees. We have about 11,000 direct employees and support thousands of other jobs related to our business endeavors. The opportunity to impact the lives of Cherokee citizens and grow the economy of northeast Oklahoma is our motivation and greatest gratification.

When the Cherokee Nation succeeds, so does all of Oklahoma.  It means improved health care, better schools and access to new and safer homes.  

The Cherokee Nation is in an exciting new era. Cherokee Nation Businesses’ portfolio of tomorrow will be greatly diversified with our business lines serving private and government clients.