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 of Cherokee citizens. This is exactly what our businesses were designed to do and our financial success belongs to the Cherokee people.

We created economic opportunities through CNB to make the Cherokee Nation stronger. Financially, we have succeeded and we are experiencing robust growth across all CNB platforms – hospitality and entertainment, security and defense, information technology, construction, real estate, health care services and telecommunications. We have laid a strong foundation for long-term financial stability.

As a business philosophy, we seek smart investment opportunities that pay back profitable dividends. That is what we are doing now with this investment in health care. 

 Making the Cherokee Health Care announcement at the Hard Rock .

 CNB’s construction division will serve as the project’s prime contractor and construction manager.  By managing this project in-house, our construction division grows its capabilities and gains an invaluable experience that can be used to help secure future projects from the federal government and private developers.

Growing the economy, creating jobs and improving health care access, it is an all-around winning model for the Cherokee Nation.

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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 Nation, as we work on issues vital to our people: health care access, new homes, more jobs and educational opportunities. Faith shapes our values, guides our work and gives our daily lives perspective.

As we celebrate this miracle, it is also important to remember our neighbors who may be struggling and give them the assistance and support they need to overcome their burden whether it be financial, emotional or spiritual.

Deputy Chief Joe Crittenden and I will use the day as reflection, to consider the tremendous sacrifices made for all of us to live the lives we lead. We will focus on the things that matter most in our lives – our family, loved ones, country and community. These are our links to the past and to history, but they are also our hope for the future.

On this Easter weekend, let’s celebrate the thread of humanity and compassion that connects every single one of us – Cherokee and non-Cherokee alike. Let’s remember our military men and women, many away from their families at this time. Let’s remember humility and value the grace bestowed on us by the creator.

God bless you. I offer you best wishes for a Happy Easter from my family and Deputy Chief Crittenden’s family.

Wado. 

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CNB Secures $4M Contract With U.S. Army

Cherokee Nation Red Wing has been awarded a $4.2 million contract with the U.S. Army to provide logistical management and support services for the precision fire rocket and missile systems at Red River Army Depot.

As Chief, few things make me prouder than knowing our companies are supporting the great servicemen and women of this country. The Cherokee Nation’s commitment to the military spans generations. Many of our citizens have dedicated their lives, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the United States of America.

Read the full announcement here.

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U.S. Attorney's Office Visits Cherokee Nation

Today, the Cherokee Nation hosted Danny Williams, U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Oklahoma.  The Cherokee Marshals and the Cherokee Nation Attorney  General's office joined the conversation about working together, improving the government to government relationship to make a stronger and safer Indian Country.  

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Cierra Fields - A Cherokee Champion of Change

Cherokee citizen Cierra Fields was recently named a “Champions for Change” by the Center for Native American Youth in DC. She was recognized for  raising awareness for cancer prevention.

The Cherokee Nation is proud of Cierra for the passion she displayed to educate our people on ways to live healthier and reduce the risk of cancer. I admire her willingness and honesty to tell her personal story in the hopes that it will effect real change and improve the lives of Native people through prevention. 

The Cherokee people have always been strong in mind, body and spirit, and Cierra is a living example of that.

Read full story here. 

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Cherokee Nation in Time Magazine

Read the "State of the Cherokee Nation" profile here.

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Making the Cherokee Nation Safer

On Monday, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved the Cherokee Nation Law and Order Act - an act meant to deter Native Americans from committing crime on tribal land by imposing stiffer fines and jail time.

Cherokees convicted of serious crimes such as manufacturing methamphetamines or child abuse now face up to three years in jail and up to a $15,000 fine in Cherokee Nation District Court. Prior to the act, the law allowed just a one-year maximum sentence and up to $5,000 fine for all crimes.

Stalking, newly added to the code, now carries up to a $5,000 fine or one-year sentence, as does domestic abuse. 

We have a responsibility to protect our people and make the Cherokee Nation as safe as possible. The passage of this new act shows how serious we are about crime prevention and prosecuting those offenders who violate the law within the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdictional boundaries. New penalties to deter crime and reduce victimization will only improve Cherokee Nation’s public safety mission.


Read the full story here.

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