Weekly Newsletter

Inter-Tribal Council passes resolutions supporting Oklahoma forestry department, IHS leader

Tribal leaders include, from left: Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Chief Lewis Johnson.

THACKERVILLE, Okla. – The Inter-Tribal Council (ITC) of the Five Civilized Tribes passed a resolution to advance the name and support of Rear Adm. Travis Watts for Director of the Indian Health Service at its quarterly meeting April 11 at WinStar World Casino and Resort.

“The Indian Health Service provides public health, preventative, curative, and community health care to more than 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in hospitals, clinics, and other health settings throughout Indian Country,” the resolution reads. Watts worked in the early 1990s as a clinical pharmacist for IHS, which began his career with the organization.

A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Watts has earned numerous awards for his service to Indian Health Service, including the USPHS Outstanding and Distinguished Service Medals, the USPHS Allen J. Brands - Clinical Pharmacist of the Year Award and multiple IHS Director’s Awards.

The resolution said, “...under his tenure as Area Director, the Oklahoma City Area maintains among the lowest vacancy rates in the Indian Health Service, has reduced unobligated fund balances, provides high quality health services, and fosters exceptional partnerships with the Tribes of the Area...”

Watts has regularly attended ITC meetings as Director of the Oklahoma City Area IHS.

The resolution says the ITC believes Watts “is a dedicated Indian leader and has exceptional experience and ability to deliver quality healthcare to Indian Country.”

The ITC passed seven resolutions at its quarterly meeting, including:

Resolution 25-01 – A resolution opposing the elimination of the Oklahoma Forestry Services and affirming tribal support for collaborative wildfire response and land stewardship
Resolution 25-02 – A resolution urging Auburn University to remedy the deplorable duty of care conditions in which Auburn stores ancestors, and further to respect native traditional kinship systems
Resolution 25-03 – A resolution supporting the continuation of the HUD 184 program
Resolution 25-04 – A resolution in support of the extension of advanced premium tax credits
Resolution 25-05 – A resolution to advance the name and support of RADM Travis Watts for director of the Indian Health Service
Resolution 25-06 – A resolution supporting the passage of the North American Grasslands Conservation Act
Resolution 25-07 – A resolution urging the federal government of the United States not to terminate the lease of the Southeast Regional Archeological Center (SEAC) in Tallahassee, Florida

The next ITC meeting will be hosted by the Muscogee Nation July 9-11 at River Spirit Hotel & Casino, Tulsa.

REPORT: Cherokee Nation contributes $3.1B annually to Oklahoma economy

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announces the tribe's more than $3.1 billion economic impact on the state of Oklahoma during an early April luncheon. (Photo provided by Cherokee Nation.)

by Chez Oxendine, Tribal Business News

Through a combination of business revenues and widespread employment, the Cherokee Nation contributes more than $3.1 billion annually to Oklahoma's economy.

That’s according to a report by Oklahoma City-based analytical firm Economic Impact Group, which identifies the Cherokee Nation as a major driver of the state’s economy. The report points to employment, production, and ongoing business activities as chief contributors.

Russell Evans, founding partner of the Economic Impact Group and a professor of economics at Oklahoma City University, said the impact was a “direct reflection of [Cherokee Nation’s] roots in northeastern Oklahoma.”

The report indicates the tribe supports over 23,000 jobs and generates $1.2 billion in wages and benefits annually. Additionally, it spends more than $536 million on goods and services from local vendors in northeast Oklahoma. The tribe awarded $17.5 million in scholarships in FY 2023, and supported 1,300 Native Americans with vocational training, per the report.

Statewide, Tulsa County experienced the largest economic impact from the tribe’s activities with $1.3 billion in output, 2,682 jobs, and $314.6 million in labor income. Cherokee County had the highest employment impact, with 12,015 jobs and $357.5 million in labor income, according to the report.

“Cherokee Nation’s economic impact is about more than dollars and data,” Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement. “It’s a reflection of our deep commitment to the prosperity of the Cherokee people and the communities we call home.”

The tribe made direct contributions to the state coffers as well. In FY 2023, the tribe paid $7.8 million in car tag revenues toward public schools in northeastern Oklahoma and $7.4 million into child development centers and assistance programs.

The Economic Impact Group found that Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), the tribe’s economic arm, has funneled $500 million in compact fees to Oklahoma since 2005. CNB, operating across a range of federal contracting, agricultural, and entertainment businesses, has contributed more than $1.2 billion through cash dividends to tribal programs since 2015.

“CNB’s mission to broaden and strengthen Cherokee Nation’s economy as we invest, innovate, diversify and grow has always been at the core of everything we do, and it always will be,” Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, said in a statement. “As our annual dividend to the tribe, gaming compact fees, investments and more continue to grow every year, it is an absolute honor to see our company’s efforts creating even more of an impact throughout our communities and across Cherokee Nation.”

This report is a continuation of a bi-annual effort to examine the economic relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the fourteen counties that comprise the Nation's reservation.

The study’s announcement follows major moves across the Cherokee Nation’s swathe of business ventures. In late March, federal contracting firm Cherokee Federal announced the development of a mobile landing platform for vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. Cherokee Nation Businesses also continues an ongoing fight for a new casino license in Pope County, Ark. that would mark the first commercial casino under the company’s banner.

A decision on that casino is expected in late April, per a 500Nations.com report.

Frybread Boys 49 at TO GOLF

“FORE!” Tarpalechee screams as he takes a mighty cut at his golf ball. With his short alligator arms, he choked up on the club past the grip and onto the metal shaft.

As he swings downward, his sweaty hands cause him to lose his grasp. The club flies swiftly through the air twirling sideways like the rotating blades of a helicopter. The spinning club brushes Yahola’s hair, giving him a temporary flattop.

As the menacing club flies through the driving range, patrons scream and hit the deck. The club smashes into the letter P of a neon sign that spells TOPGOLF. It now reads TO GOLF.

“Heyluh!” I scream at Tarp. “Whaddya think you’re doin’?”

“I didn’t do that on purpose!” Tarp protests. “I lost control!”

“You and those alligator arms!” I say.

“Looks more like T-rex arms to me,” Fixico says laughing. “We should put him in Ripley’s Believe It or Not Circus. Could make some real toknawv. Just saying.”

“I’ll show you toknawv, Fix!” Tarp screams as he shakes his short-armed fist at Fixico.

“Cepan! You’re going to have to get closer,” Fixico taunts. “Fus, hold the este lopockeat eye level. That’ll make for a fair fight.”

“Why you!” Tarp says as he bullrushes Fixico.

Yahola intercepts Tarpalechee.

“Wikvs! You boys calm down! We have to apologize to these people before we get thrown out,” Yahola says.

Yahola is correct. We forgot about the offended patrons. People are staring at us with a mix of fear and anger. It was time to charm the spectators.

“Fix, we need you to calm the waters,” I say. “Work your magic.”

“Why me?” Fixico asks.

“Cause you got the charm,” I reply. “Think of it as snagging a crowd instead of another ‘Skin.”

“I’m your man,” Fixico says.

Fixico turns to address the shocked crowd.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Fixico says. “We apologize for what just happened. My friend here with theT. rexarms is new at golfing.”

Fixico motions toward Tarpalechee. Tarp shoots Fixico a Clint Eastwood narrow eyed glare.

“And just to make everything right,” Fixico continues, “The next round is on my friend here, Fus!”

My chin drops to my chest. “Whut?!” I ask incredulously.

Fixico chortles.

THWACK! A Native woman delivers a hard slap to Tarpalechee’s chipmunk cheek. His eyebrows are raised, and his mouth forms a large “O”. Tarp slowly raises his arms and places his palms on his beefy cheeks. The woman stands face to face with Tarp. Her eyes are narrow, and her nostrils flare with each deep breath. I recognize her from a photo Tarp showed me.

“Nage’te?” Tarp meekly asks the woman.

“What? What is right!” the woman replies. “As in ‘WHAT’ are you doing here?”

“Vne?”

“Yes you!” You lying sack of-“

“Why you socvpakke?”

THWACK! The woman delivers another stinging slap. She has a posse of five stern looking Native women standing behind her. We avoid looking them in the eyes.

“I’m mad because your lame, lyingcvpotold me that you were volunteering at the soup kitchen!”

“I…uh…uh…ahem!”

“Spit it out, Tarp!” the woman commands.

“I, I, I was,” Tarp stutters. “Yeah, that’s it. I was headed to the soup kitchen when Fus called.”

The posse of Native women fix their warrior stare on me. I take a step back.

“Don’t throw me under the bus,” I say.

“Yeah! Don’t you be blaming your friend,” the woman says as she shakes her head. “I’m not doing this! I’m not doing this!”

“Doing what?” Tarp asks.

“This! Rez Love! I’m not doing this anymore!” she declares as she spins on her heels. The Native women warriors stalk off with her.

“Don’t leave! Please don’t leave,” Tarp pleads. His lower lip is quivering, and tears well up in his eyes.

“She was the love of my life,” Tarp saws sorrowfully.

“You’ve known her for two weeks!” I say.

As tears stream down his face, Tarp picks up a small Igloo cooler and a huge turkey leg. He takes a large bite of the turkey and strikes the Igloo cooler with the turkey leg. We hear the heartbeat of the Igloo cooler.