anadisgoi magazine - winter/spring 2015

WINTER / SPRING 2015

Renewing life the Cherokee way

CHEROKEE NATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Creating Better Living Conditions

Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People

DIVERSIFY: TO CHANGE, TRANSFORM AND EXPAND

SAVINGS THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMACHEROKEE NATION CAR TAGS ARE AVAILABLE TO AT-LARGE CITIZENS.

All Cherokee Nation citizens living in Oklahoma may purchase Cherokee tags for cars, trucks and recreational vehicles.

That means real savings for you, your family or your family-owned business.

Visit any Cherokee Nation tag office or purchase by mail.

• Show your Cherokee pride• Support Cherokee Nation programs, which have a $1.3 billion positive impact on Oklahoma• Save money

Contact us today for full details, including the list of documents you’ll need to provide and the address of the tag office closest to you.

www.cherokee.org/services/tagoffice

[email protected] | (918) 453-5100

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The Official Cherokee Nation News Anadisgoi 3

Anadisgoi.com

Editor Amanda Clinton Executive Editors Travis Noland Tim Landes Contributing Staff Cherokee Nation Communications Cherokee Nation Businesses Communications Cover Photo Brandon Scott Designer Amanda Watkins

CONTENTSW I N T E R / S PR I NG 2 015

2 Osiyo • Letter from Cherokee Nation Principal

Chief Bill John Baker

5 Briefs• Bison return to Cherokee Nation• Cherokee Nation receives $3.7 million

grant for out-of-work citizens• Cherokee Nation opens first-ever

Career Services office in Tulsa• $884K federal grant helps combat

domestic violence in the Cherokee Nation

• 2014-15 Tribal Youth Council sworn in at October Tribal Council meeting

• Kawi Café • Cherokee Nation recognized with

awards for excellence in financial reporting

• W.W. Hastings Hospital surgical tech named “New Instructor of the Year”

8 Government• Cherokee Nation infrastructure

investments creating better living conditions

• “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” launches

• Tribe opens new $5M substance abuse treatment center

• Cherokee Nation awarded IHS joint venture project

• World War II vets visit memorials on inaugural Cherokee Warrior Flight

13 Business• Cherokee Nation honors commitment

to education and job creation for all of Oklahoma

• Cherokee Nation Industries celebrates 45th anniversary

• Diversify: To change, transform and expand

• New hires and promotions

16 62nd Cherokee National Holiday

18 Feature• Renewing life the Cherokee way

22 Entertainment• CNE investing millions to enhance

guest experience• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa

renovates hotel

24 Culture• Cherokee Nation preserves culture,

supports art through new construction• “Cherokee Voices, Cherokee Sounds”

radio show celebrates 10 years• Cherokee Nation, Gilcrease Museum

partnering for Cherokee exhibit• Recipe: Making Kanuchi

ON THE COVER: Cherokee Hubbard Denwalt stands in front of her updated home, one of 457 benefiting from the Cherokee Nation Housing Rehab during the 2014 fiscal year.

5 16

4 Anadisgoi The Official Cherokee Nation News

OSIYO. The Cherokee Nation is an invalu-able partner to the success of Oklahoma. As

the economic driver for our corner of the state, our tribe and our business entities are crucial to ensure northeast Oklahoma is a preferred locale for citizens to work, live and raise their families.

Enhancing vital infrastructure means we create opportunities for all citizens to succeed, Chero-kee and non-Cherokee alike. As Principal Chief, my mission is to improve the lives of Cherokee people. That means expanded health care op-tions, better access to careers and education, and the opportunity to own a home. These are the building blocks to create long-term success for the Cherokee Nation.

Part of that mission is making the right kinds of strategic investments to positively impact our people and our neighbors, not just today but for years to come. The record-breaking success we have experienced at Cherokee Nation Businesses means we have more opportunities to enhance our surroundings and create a quality of life that

is second to none. That includes making roads and bridges safer, improving our community wa-ter systems and investing in services we all use, like schools, first responder services, and youth and elder programs.

Millions of dollars from the Cherokee Nation are invested throughout northeast Oklahoma because it truly makes a difference in building stronger communities, a stronger Oklahoma and a stronger Cherokee Nation. Good government is about responsibility and accountability to its citi-zenry. I am proud of the investments we make and the partnerships we have established that improve Cherokee lives and provide opportunities to build successful families and bright futures.

Wado.

Bill John Baker Cherokee Nation Principal Chief

OSIYO | ᎣᏏᏲ • LETTER FROM THE CHIEF

QUIZ1. How many federally recognized Cherokee tribes are there?

a) Oneb) Threec) Fived) Ten

2. Which Cherokee Nation museum displays the printing press for the original “Cherokee Advocate”?

a) Cherokee National Prison Museumb) Cherokee National Supreme Court Museumc) Cherokee Nation John Ross Museumd) Cherokee Heritage Center

3. What Cherokee Nation-owned company celebrated its 45th year in businesses?

a) Cherokee Nation Entertainmentb) Cherokee Nation Industriesc) Cherokee Nation Construction Resourcesd) Cherokee Nation Businesses

4. How many seats make up the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council?

a) 15b) 11c) 22d) 17

5. How many Tribal Council districts are there?a) 17b) 15c) 7d) 5

NOTABLE CHEROKEESJohn Ross, also known as Guwisguwi or Cooweescoowee, was Principal Chief of the Cherokees from 1828 to 1866 and led the Cherokee people on the Trail of Tears to their new home in Indian Territory, now in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Ross was instrumental in drafting a Cherokee constitution that united the eastern and western branches of the tribe. In 1839, he was also chosen chief of the united tribe.

Answers: 1)b; 2)b; 3)b; 4)d; 5)b

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society


BRIEFS |ᏍᏆᎳ ᎢᏗᎬᏁᎸᎢ

With a light breeze blowing and dawn breaking across the hills of Delaware County, a herd of bison stepped foot

on Cherokee Nation soil for the first time in 40 years.

After a 900-mile journey from the Badlands of South Dakota, 38 female bison were unloaded from a trailer and onto their new home on tribal land near Kenwood in Delaware County last fall. Ten male bison joined them a few weeks later. As the herd grows, up to 1,100 acres of tribal land can be opened to accommodate them.

The tribe held a welcoming blessing for the animals at their arrival.

“For most of us, the American bison sym-bolizes our great country — free, strong and resilient. Those are the traits we identify in ourselves as Indian people,” said Cherokee Na-tion Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “That’s why the bison has always represented something deeply spiritual to our tribal ancestors and why it’s important for us to reintroduce bison within our homelands. Today, we are able to recon-nect the Cherokee Nation with a prominent part of our history and our cultural roots.”

The Cherokee Nation spent nearly two years working with the InterTribal Buffalo Council to acquire bison.

The ITBC is comprised of 60 tribes and grants some of its members surplus bison every other year. The agency has an agreement with na-tional parks to place the animals with federally recognized tribes.

“It is a historic event here in the Cherokee Nation,” said InterTribal Buffalo Council Presi-dent Ervin Carlson. “Our main purpose is to re-turn bison to Indian Country, and that’s what’s happening here. It’s a big part of our culture since we are connected to them spiritually, so for the Cherokee Nation it’s a great day, and for us as well, to bring bison to their Nation.”

Although typically associated with Plains tribes, Cherokees have a long, deep connection and history with bison as a source of food, tools and clothing and in traditional ceremonies. Woodland Bison once roamed Cherokee home-lands in the east, but herds were decimated upon European colonization.

Female bison on Cherokee Nation tribal land today will grow to around 1,100 pounds, and the males to around 2,000 pounds. More bison may be acquired as conditions warrant.

Bison return to Cherokee Nation

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief S. Joe Crittenden visit the recently acquired bison.


BRIEFS | ᏍᏆᎳ ᎢᏗᎬᏁᎸᎢ

Cherokee Nation receives $3.7 million grant for out-of-work citizens

More Cherokees are getting back to work, thanks to a $3.7 million Job-Driven Nation Emer-gency Grant. It provides training for workers who have lost jobs in high-demand industries.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a total of $155 million to Cherokee Nation along with 32 states and Puerto Rico as recipients of the two-year grant. Cherokee Nation was the only tribal government to receive funding.

Participants must be citizens of a federally recognized tribe and reside within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdiction.

For more information, contact Career Services at 918-453-5555 or stop by any Cherokee Nation Career Services office.

Cherokee Nation opens first-ever Career Services office in Tulsa

Cherokee Nation’s new Career Services office in Tulsa is helping fill a variety of jobs coming to the Tulsa metro. Cherokee Nation is the lead recruiter for Macy’s new fulfillment center, currently under construction in Owasso.

The 5,100-square-foot office makes job referrals and offers employment training, GED classes, Talking Leaves Job Corps outreach and admissions services.

The office is there to assist both Cherokees and non-Natives, depending on the program.

The office is staffed by 10 employees and is across the street from Cherokee Nation Businesses’ corporate offices.

Career Services has nine other offices, in Tahle-quah, Claremore, Jay, Muskogee, Pryor, Sallisaw, Stilwell, Vinita and West Siloam Springs.

To contact the Tulsa Career Services office, call 918-764-9352 or visit www.cherokee.org/Services/Career.

$884K federal grant helps combat domestic violence in the Cherokee Nation

It’s a sad statistic that Native American women are twice as likely to be-come victims of domestic violence as their non-Na-tive counterparts. Thanks to an $884,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Jus-tice, the Cherokee Nation will help educate Native populations on domestic violence issues and offer victims essential services.

Cherokee Nation’s do-mestic violence prevention programs are based in

the tribe’s Charles L. Head ONE FIRE Against Violence Victim Services office.

The grant funds a youth education component on dating violence, admin-istered in school districts within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction. Funding also helps establish a traditional healing process for victims seeking cultural healing practices. ONE FIRE pro-vides many other resources for victims as part of the grant.

ONE FIRE victim services are available to both Native and non-Native victims. Since opening its doors in April 2013, ONE FIRE has served nearly 200 indi-viduals by advocating on their behalf, with financial assistance and more. The ONE FIRE office is located at 118A E. Keetoowah St. in Tahlequah.

Victims of sexual assault or domestic violence can call the emergency hotline at 866-458-5399.

2014-15 Tribal Youth Council sworn inSeventeen Cherokee students from

across northeast Oklahoma have pledged to protect the Cherokee Nation Constitu-tion and promote the tribe’s culture and traditions.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council was founded in 1989 and has 161 alumni, many who now work for the tribe. The 2014-15 youth council meets monthly,

and each member serves a one-year term.The council learns the Cherokee Nation

Constitution and youth council bylaws and identifies issues affecting Cherokee youth to potentially shape tribal policy. Students also serve as tribal ambassadors, learn leadership skills and volunteer in the community.

(L to R) Front Row: Tribal Youth Council Cierra Fields, Ja-li-si Pittman, Ashlee Fox, Cassidy Henderson, Ashton Shelley, Abigail Shepherd and Haley Teehee. Back Row: Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden; Principal Chief Bill John Baker; Tribal Youth Council members Sarah Pilcher, Elizabeth Hummingbird, Kaley Teehee, Summer Eubanks, Morgan Mouse, Haylee Caviness, Jacob Chavez, Blake Henson, Taylor Armbrister and Bradley Fields; and Tribal Council Speaker Tina Glory-Jordan.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker and the Career Services team cut the ribbon on the team’s new Tulsa office, with Jim Igaria of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce (front left) and Tribal Councilor Curtis Snell (back left).


ᏍᏆᎳ ᎢᏗᎬᏁᎸᎢ | BRIEFS

Cherokee Nation recognized with awards for excellence in financial reporting

Cherokee Nation has again been recog-nized as meeting the top requirements in financial reporting and accounting. For 13 straight years, Cherokee Nation received the Certificate of Achievement for Excel-lence in Financial Reporting.

To earn the CAFR award, an impartial panel of judges reviewed an audit of the tribe’s 2013 fiscal year financial operations and all its businesses and nonprofit com-ponents, ensuring they met the highest standards, including transparency.

For the second consecutive year, the tribe also achieved the Outstanding Achieve-ment in Popular Annual Financial Reporting award.

The PAFR award is a condensed version of the CAFR and is judged on reader appeal, understandability, distribution method, creativity and overall quality.

The awards are the highest honors given to governments for stellar financial report-ing and accounting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Cherokee Nation Financial Resources oversees the tribe’s operating budget and the accounting and maintenance of mul-tiple federal grants, employee payroll and the purchasing department.

To view the Cherokee Nation’s 2013 award-win-ning CAFR and PAFR, visit www.cherokee.org and click the “About the Nation” and “Annual Reports” tabs.

Kawi Café Small business training with cup of freshly brewed coffee

Cherokee Nation’s Kawi Café is serving up sig-nature Cherokee blend

coffee and panini with a side of business savvy by provid-ing entrepreneurs firsthand experience at running their own business. The down-town Tahlequah eatery gives up-and-coming entrepre-neurs firsthand experience running their own business, under the guidance of the Cherokee Nation Commerce Department program.

The café occupies 1,100 square feet in the former Cort Mall.

While the café offers cus-tomers coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, soup and panini in a quaint coffeehouse setting, customers don’t always see what the café offers its employees.

About nine trainees work four-month stints in the café learning how to run a

business, while spending one day a week working on their personal business plan. Many participants apply for a Cher-okee Nation small business loan after completing the program.

Cherokee Nation Com-merce helps build economic security for Cherokee citizens and communities. In the past

18 months, Cherokee Nation Commerce has provided $2.7 million in small-busi-ness loans to more than 40 Cherokee-owned businesses. Those loans helped create or retain 223 jobs in the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction. Commerce also holds train-ing classes and workshops throughout the year.

W.W. Hastings Hospital surgical tech named “New Instructor of the Year”Cherokee Nation citizen

Tommy Hays was named “New Instructor of the Year” by the Association of Surgical Technol-ogists. Hays, a certified surgi-cal technologist at Cherokee Nation’s W.W. Hastings Hospital, started a training program in 2009 to grow Cherokee surgical technologists internally. He also wrote the training curriculum.

To date, 18 Cherokee students have completed the program and passed national certification.

A surgical technologist per-forms many important duties prior to and during a surgery. Surgical techs typically prepare sterile instruments used during patient operations and assist the

surgeon.Hays earned his Bachelor of

Science from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. He’s been em-ployed by the Cherokee Nation since 2008, and prior to that he worked as a surgical technolo-gist with Indian Health Service.

Cherokee Nation W.W. Hast-ings Hospital’s Surgical Technol-ogy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accredita-tion of Allied Health Education Programs. Up to 10 Cherokee students are accepted into the program each year.

For more information on the surgical tech program, call the Cherokee Nation at 918-453-5000 ext. 4186.

(L to R) Kawi Café Manager Cheryl Williams takes an order from customer Gwen Terrapin.

Instructor Tommy Hays holds up his New Instructor of the Year Award from the Association of Surgical Technologists.


CHEROKEE NATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Creating Better Living ConditionsMore than $14 million invested in infrastructure development in 2014

By Tyler Thomas

A married couple in Nowata can now fulfill a dream of building a new home on the family’s ranch thanks to the Cherokee

Nation’s recent investment in infrastructure. This waterline project provides a cleaner and

more reliable water source for them and their horses.

Cherokee Nation citizen Kathy Jobe and her husband, Jerry, currently live in Nowata but own a 35-acre horse ranch just outside of town where a new waterline was built by the Cherokee Nation. The couple is thinking more and more about moving to the ranch now that a new, reliable water source is available.

“Before the new waterline, we wanted to

live out here, but with the water supply being so iffy we didn’t think we could make it work,” Jobe said. “Now with a dependable water source, it takes a lot of worry off us about not having water for our horses. The Cherokee Na-tion really looked out for us and the residents here, and now we have the opportunity to make a dream of ours come true and build a home closer to our horses here at our ranch.”

The tribe completed the one-mile stretch of waterline in Nowata along 415 County Road in May 2014. The $50,000 project replaced a dete-riorating steel waterline installed in the 1950s that frequently caused low water pressure or water outages from massive water leaks with 4-inch thick polyethylene pipes.

Much like the Jobes, other Nowata residents and Cherokee citizens and non-Cherokees from Adair to Ochelata to Kenwood now reap the fruits of the tribe’s investment in infrastruc-ture. In fiscal year 2014, the Cherokee Nation invested $14.89 million in water and sewer and

GOVERNMENT |ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏢᏒ

Cherokee Nation citizen and Nowata resident Kathy Jobe uses water from a new water-line laid by Cherokee Nation to care for her 12 horses at her family’s ranch along 415 County Road.


road and bridge projects.“We have an obligation to make life better

for Cherokee people,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “Our business success affords us a unique opportunity to make these kind of critical investments that ensure roads are safer, bridges are secure, and drinking water is clean and pure so that it may be used by our citizens. To me, a good government is one that improves the lives of its citizens. I am proud of the investments and partnerships that do exactly that: make the lives of Cherokee people better.”

The Cherokee Nation completed 64.2 miles of road and bridge projects in the 14-county jurisdiction in fiscal year 2014. More than $13 million of tribal and federal dollars were used in the 28 projects.

Included in the road and bridge projects were a $1.5 million bridge replacement project in Mayes County near Adair and an $84,500 road project on Main Street in Ochelata. The two completed projects ensure safer travel-

ing conditions for school buses transporting students to and from school and for other travelers.

“It’s important that we, as a sovereign tribal government, continue to work hand in hand with our partners at the state, county and mu-nicipal levels,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The Cherokee Nation plays a pivotal role in the overall success of northeast Oklahoma. Our region continues to flourish, and that is only possible because we

prudently work with our partners to determine where infrastructure needs are greatest and where our investment can have the greatest impact.”

In addition to the Nowata waterline project, the Cherokee Nation also completed 15 other water and sewer projects using $1.61 million of tribal and federal funds. The completed proj-ects include waterline replacements, waterline extensions, rural water district tank rehabs and a new $1.16 million water treatment plant for the Kenwood Rural Water District.

The new water treatment plant, which serves about 220 homes, was built to create a water filtration system in the Kenwood area that meets Environmental Protection Agency standards and ensures area residents have a clean and filtered water source.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation’s roads and engineering and sanitation programs, visit www.cherokee.org.

ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏢᏒ | GOVERNMENT

ROAD/BRIDGE PROJECTS

Road Projects

Waterline/Sewer Projects

WATERLINE/SEWER PROJECTS

MILES OF ROAD & BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT

Projects include waterline replacement, waterline extension, rural water district

tank rehab and water treatment plant for Kenwood Rural Water District

IN FEDERAL & TRIBAL FUNDING

The new 240-foot-long bridge over Rock Creek will make travel safer for residents near Adair.


New monthly program highlights Cherokee people, places, history and culture

T he story of the Cherokee Na-tion is one of strength, heart-ache, survival and resilience,

and its culture is among the richest, most vibrant and storied in all of Indian Country. Now those stories are being shared with the world.

“Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” is a new monthly, 30-min-ute news magazine-style program featuring the people, places, history and culture of the Cherokee Nation. It is hosted by Emmy-winning jour-nalist and Cherokee Nation citizen Jennifer Loren, a former longtime anchor at KOTV, News on 6.

“Being Cherokee has always been an important part of my life. My family still owns our original allotment on Monkey Island, which is very special to all of us,” Loren said. “As a longtime television journalist, I can’t think of a better way to share the stories of my heritage with the people of northeast Oklahoma and, really, with the world. We have so many beautiful stories to tell.”

The Cherokee Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United

States with more than 300,000 citizens, many scattered across the globe. This program allows Chero-kees living anywhere in the world the opportunity to learn about and celebrate their heritage.

“Our people have been asking for this kind of storytelling for so long,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “I often hear people say, ‘We have a great story to tell. Our people are doing great things. Why aren’t there more stories about what we’re doing?’ This program is the answer to that question. We’re so proud to share with the world stories about our culture and about Cherokees who are excelling and bettering their communities.”

The program highlights a variety of aspects of the Cherokee Nation,

including historical sites, artwork and artisans, language preservation efforts, young Cherokees who are making a difference in their commu-nities and more.

Show host Jennifer Loren has been connecting with Cherokees

in all parts of Oklahoma and elsewhere, seek-ing out unique stories that give people a better understanding of the authentic Cherokee experi-ence.

“There is so much more to our tribe than many people know. I

learn something new every day. I think this is going to be an eye-opening experience for a lot of people, and a journey they will embrace,” said Loren.

“Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” is produced by a pair of renowned Native visual artists, Cher-okee photographer and filmmaker

Jeremy Charles and Muscogee Creek filmmaker Sterlin Harjo. Both are highly decorated in their field.

“The opportunity to create a program focused on the Cherokee people is both an honor and a thrill for me as a Cherokee citizen,” Charles said. “I think viewers will be excited by the interesting characters and memorable stories we’ll share each month.”

Veteran filmmaker and documen-tarian Sterlin Harjo is a founding member of the 1491s, an all-Native comedy troupe. He’s also had several films shown at Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival.

“When making a documentary TV show, the idea is to try and under-stand people on a deeper level,” said Harjo. “It has been great getting to tell the stories of the Cherokee Nation. We’ve been met with open arms by everyone.”

The program airs monthly in local television markets and online at www.Osiyo.tv. Visit the website for more information or to check listings in your area.

GOVERNMENT | ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏢᏒ

Jennifer Loren interviews PBR star Ryan Dirteater for an episode of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People.”

“We’re so proud to share with the world stories about our culture and

about Cherokees who are excelling and bettering

their communities.”


New $5M substance abuse treatment center saves more Native youth

Cherokee Nation opened a new $5 million Jack Brown Center in Tahle-

quah.The treatment center helps

Native youth ages 13-18 over-come drug and alcohol addic-tion. It’s one of only 10 centers of its kind in the country.

The former Jack Brown Center was located in a 1930s era facility on the Sequoyah Schools campus. The new-ly constructed center at 1413 Missionary Circle is a 28,000-square-foot, five-build-ing campus with a farmstead architectural style. The expansion serves 36 Native teens instead of the previous capacity of 20.

“This is important for the Cherokee Nation because we put such a high value on physical, mental and spiritual health,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “These young men and wom-en going through the counsel-ing and addiction program will have a real opportunity to help them change their life and get it back on track. One thing that makes it easier for them is having that connection to tribal culture. That’s something that makes Jack Brown unique and is one reason it’s been so successful and why we needed

to grow its capacity.” Since 1988, the Jack Brown

Center has treated more than 1,700 Native teens.

Tim Maxville, 41, spent six months at Jack Brown getting treatment for alcohol addic-tion when he was a senior in high school.

“I don’t know that my trajectory in life would’ve been the same if I had not gone to the Jack Brown Center for treatment,” said Maxville, a Choctaw citizen from Sand Springs. “I’m so glad this new center will serve more Native teens and show them there is a bright future. What had the biggest impact on me as a resident there was being around Natives that looked like me, talked like me and had the same problems as me, which I

related to.”Maxville now works in

construction and is earning a degree in Native American Studies at Tulsa Community College. He has been sober for decades.

The new Jack Brown Center campus features a recreation center, male and female dorms, a cafeteria and large group therapy rooms. An icon-ic silo, part of the dairy farm on the original property, was kept as part of the design.

An equine therapy program and ropes course may be add-ed to the center in the future.For more information about the Jack Brown Center, email [email protected] or call 918-453-5500.

Cherokee Nation awarded Indian Health Service Joint Venture project

Cherokee Nation’s W.W. Hastings Hos-pital in Tahlequah will add a new facility after the tribe was awarded an Indian Health Service Joint Venture Construction Program project.

As part of the agreement between the Cherokee Nation and IHS, the tribe funds the construction of a more than 250,000-square-foot facility on the hospital’s Tahlequah campus. IHS initially provides up to $30 million per year for 20 years for staffing and operations.

The Cherokee Nation was in the top three tribes selected from a pool of 37 applicants for a Joint Venture Construc-tion project.

“This will go down as one of the greatest days in the history of the modern Cherokee Nation,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “Our part-nership with IHS will improve the health outcomes of Cherokees for the next two to three generations and beyond. It’s a proud, proud day in the Cherokee Nation.”

The expanded hospital campus will help alleviate the strain on the current hospital, which was built 30 years ago to serve 65,000 outpatient visits each year. The hospital currently serves more than 400,000 patient visits per year. The new facility will include more than 100 exam rooms and dozens of specialty rooms.

The IHS Joint Venture Construction Pro-gram was established by IHS in the early 1990s to help tribes across the country develop better health care facilities for tribal citizens, while alleviating financial strain on the federal government.

Applications for the program were last accepted in fiscal year 2010. Cherokee Nation began meeting with Congress in 2013, asking members to join U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and U.S. Rep. Betty Mc-Collum, D-Minn., in requesting IHS reopen the application process.

Chief Baker also testified before the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcom-mittee in Washington, D.C., in April 2014.

ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏢᏒ | GOVERNMENT

(L to R) Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Lee Keener; Lt. Cmdr. Karen Hearod, deputy director of be-havioral health for IHS Oklahoma City Area; Jacque Hensley, Native American liaison for Governor Mary Fallin; Chief of Staff Chuck Hoskin Sr.; Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr.; Principal Chief Bill John Baker; Little Cherokee Ambassador Ashlin Sutton; Tribal Council Speaker Tina Glory-Jordan; Tahlequah Mayor Jason Nichols; Tribal Councilor Cara Cowan Watts; Cherokee Spiritual Leader Crosslin Fields Smith; Health Services Executive Director Connie Davis; Jack Brown Center Director Darren Dry; and Choctaw citizen and former Jack Brown Center resident Tim Maxville.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker


World War II vets visit memorials on inaugural Cherokee Warrior Flight

Seven Cherokee World War II veterans returned to Okla-homa after traveling on the

Cherokee Nation’s first Cherokee Warrior Flight. Until the trip, five of the veterans had never been to Washington, D.C., to see the 56-pillar stone memorial erected in their honor.

“There’s not much about the war you can talk to people about, but it was an experience I had to go through and was necessary — someone had to, so I did what I could,” 92-year-old Navy veteran Joeseph Leathers, of Big Cabin, said while standing in front of the Freedom Wall, where 4,000 stars commemorate 400,000 of his fallen comrades. “Everyone should see this memorial, and I’m glad it’s something that I can say I have now done.”

For 88-year-old Charles Carey, who normally would’ve been caring for his five animals at home in Hulbert, the Cherokee Warrior Flight gave him a chance to fly for the first time and ride in a limo, greeted with hugs and handshakes from dozens of appreciative strangers.

“It was the best trip of my life,” said Carey, who spent the war in the boiler room of an escort carrier in the Pacific. “I’m grateful the Cherokee Nation put this flight to-gether and did this for us. It meant everything.”

The Cherokee Warrior Flight was

funded by the Cherokee Nation.“For these men who served in

World War II, this Cherokee Warrior Flight is the trip of a lifetime,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. “They truly are the greatest gen-eration and should be honored for their role in history. We plan to

make the Cherokee Warrior Flight an annual event to say ‘thank you’ to our Cherokee veterans and let them know we will never forget their service and sacrifices.”

While in Washington, D.C., the veterans had special invitations to enter the House Floor at the U.S. Capitol and get a front row viewing for the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. They also visited the Ko-rean and Vietnam War Memorials to pay tribute to veterans of other wars.

A representative from Con-gressman Jim Bridenstine’s office gave each veteran a congressional pin, while a representative from Congressman Markwayne Mullen’s office led them on a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol building.

After returning to Tulsa, Army veteran Eugene Fox, 91, of Bar-tlesville, a demolitionist who blew up enemy bridges during the war, gave the trip two thumbs up.

“The Cherokee Warrior Flight was great,” Fox said. “Really, it was like our reunion.”

Back row (L to R): Navy veteran and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief S. Joe Crittenden; Army Air Corp veteran William Wood, 94, of Vinita; Navy veteran Charles Carey, 88, of Hulbert; Army veteran and Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Harley Buzzard; and Air Force veteran and Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Curtis Snell. Front row (L to R): Navy veteran Dewey Albert, 88, of Tahlequah; Navy veteran Steve Downing Jr., 89, of Locust Grove; Army veteran Eugene Fox, 91, of Bartlesville; Navy veteran Joseph Leathers, 92, of Big Cabin; and Army veteran Guy Wilson, 97, of Hulbert.

(L to R) Cherokee Nation Veterans Center Manager Dr. Ricky Robinson and World War II veteran Charles Carey explore the World War II Memorial while on the Cherokee Warrior Flight.

GOVERNMENT | ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏢᏒ


Cherokee Nation honors commitment to education and job creation for all of Oklahoma

The Cherokee Nation is celebrating 10 years since Oklahoma voters

overwhelmingly favored State Question 712, the constitution-al amendment that allowed Oklahoma to level the eco-nomic playing field with other states and opened the door to a new market for tourism and hospitality in the state.

The successful ballot initia-tive known as the Oklahoma Tribal State Compact led to thousands of new jobs for Oklahomans and more than $895 million for the state budget from tribes like the Cherokee Nation. The state initially projected $71 million per year from the compact. Last year that number was more than $122 million.

“We’ve always taken pride in caring for our own citizens’ health care, housing and edu-cation needs, but the passage of State Question 712 also al-lowed tribal nations to directly contribute in a meaningful and substantial way to the state’s budget,“ said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “Actual results over the past 10 years far exceeded ini-tial projections, which means more money for Oklahoma schools and other services across our great state. It is rewarding to show 10 years later we not only accepted the challenge and met projec-tions, but we’ve exceeded that initial pledge. It’s partnerships like these that are changing lives and making our state stronger.”

State Question 712 was a constitutional amendment posed to Oklahoma voters that would allow the state to negotiate with Okla-homa tribes and horse racing tracks to operate Las Vegas-style casino games. The addition of electronic gaming at race tracks was a way for Oklahoma horse tracks to compete with tracks in neighboring states.

“When 712 was only a vision, we knew it was something that could greatly improve our

state,” said Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. “Over the past 10 years, this compact agree-ment has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars to education in our state. I’m proud Oklahomans had the foresight to recognize what this would mean for our state and stood behind that vision at the polls.”

Today, 33 of 39 tribes in Oklahoma have a gaming compact with the state, and Las Vegas-style games are available at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore and

Remington Park in Oklahoma City. The Cherokee Nation was one of the first Oklahoma tribes to agree to a gaming compact with the state follow-ing the Nov. 2, 2004, vote.

Since the compact agree-ment with Oklahoma was enacted, the Cherokee Nation has paid more than $126 million to support education in Oklahoma and $100 million in fees to support the horse racing industry in Oklahoma. This is in addition to the Cher-okee Nation’s government programs that also support education, housing, health care, roads and bridges, and other services.

“Never before have visitors from surrounding states come in such large numbers to ex-perience what Oklahoma has to offer,” said Shawn Slaton, chief executive officer of CNB. We and other tribes provide an unforgettable experience to our guests. Beyond the ad-ditional tourism dollars, when tribes pursue new economic development activities, it automatically creates jobs and puts money back into state and local economies.

Over the past 10 years, the Cherokee Nation has also leveraged gaming dollars to diversify into other areas of business. Since 2004, the tribe has created more than 4,000 jobs that span gaming, hospi-tality, information technology, personnel services, distribu-tion, manufacturing, telecom-munications, environmental

services, and security and defense industries. In addition to that direct impact, Cherokee Nation has also created thousands of indirect jobs to support these industries.

A 2013 study by Oklahoma City University showed the Cherokee Nation had a $1.3 billion economic impact on Oklahoma. It also showed the tribe’s activities directly and indirectly sup-ported more than 14,000 jobs, totaling more than $559 million in paychecks to the citizens of Oklahoma.

state question 712The impact of

$895

million

...and the results are in!...and the results are in!Total amount paid to the state since 2004 from all 33 tribes with a gaming compact

$1.3 BillionCherokee Nation’seconomic impacton Oklahomaof dollars reinvested

into the Cherokee Nation for job creation, economic development and providing services to the Cherokee people

new jobs created by Cherokee Nation since November 2004

4,000More than

#712forOK

Hundreds of millions

BUSINESS | ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

“It is rewarding to show 10 years later we not only accepted the challenge and met projections, but we’ve exceeded that initial pledge. It’s partnerships like these that are changing lives and making our state stronger.” — Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker


BUSINESS | ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

Diversify: to change, transform and expand

By Whitney Pancoast

One of the main drivers of the Cherokee Nation’s success is Cherokee Nation Businesses, the

holding company for the tribe’s diverse economic portfolio.

CNB’s diversified portfolio spans multiple industries, including aero-space manufacturing, health care, real estate, technology, office solutions, telecommunications, environmental and construction, hospitality, and security and defense.

Each division is comprised of multiple business units that all share the same mission: to grow Cherokee Nation’s economy and provide job opportunities for tribal citizens. These companies ser-vice both government and commercial clients and offer all the advantages of working with a tribal-owned, 8(a), SBA- and HUBZone-certified firm.

Why Diversify? Diversification is the most important

factor in reaching long-range financial

goals while minimizing risk. Cherokee Nation Businesses is most commonly known for its gaming and hospitality portfolio, which experienced steadfast growth after the authorization of Class III gaming in Oklahoma in 2004. The company now operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa; eight Cherokee Casinos, including a horse racing track; three ho-tels; three golf courses; and other retail operations. By developing successful businesses outside of the gaming in-dustry, the Cherokee Nation safeguards CNB’s ability to support the tribe and its citizens for years to come.

Diverse DivisionsThe CNB diversified portfolio is

divided into seven divisions based on industry. These divisions operate more than 40 companies, with work in more than 40 states as well as Puerto Rico and Guam. They have earned numerous excellence awards by industry leaders and continue to be a valuable partner to state and federal agencies.

CNB Diversified Businesses include:

Health care: The CNB Health Care Division provides a

wide range of medical and professional services to government and commer-cial clients. Services include financial recovery, patient appointing, recruiting, credentialing, and place-ment of clinical, adminis-trative and housekeeping personnel.

Real Estate: The CNB Real Estate Division provides

real estate management, development, leasing and due diligence services. This division played a vital role in CNB’s recently announced plans for a new outlet mall and entertainment district at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Technology: The CNB Tech-nology Division provides a full

spectrum of IT services and technology solutions. It offers management and support of programs, projects, professionals and technical staff. With employees in more than 30 states, the division has a proven track record of more than a decade of success with 200+ government and commercial clients.

Environmental and Construc-tion: The CNB Environmental

& Construction Division provides clients with en-vironmental, construction and professional services. Through effective engineer-ing, scheduling, safety and financial management con-trols, the division executes successful projects such as the Cherokee Nation’s $100 million health care expansion.

Hospitality: The CNB Hospitality Di-vision operates

through its primary compa-ny, Cherokee Nation Enter-tainment, one of the largest and most successful tribal businesses in the country. As the retail, gaming and entertainment entity of the Cherokee Nation, it manag-es nine casinos, restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops, fuel/convenience stores, golf courses, a cultur-al tourism program, tourist welcome centers, museums, hotels, a horse racing track and an RV campground.

Security and Defense: The Cherokee Na-tion Businesses Security &

Defense Division’s security services include state-of-the-art critical site infra-structure protection, securi-ty and surveillance services, access control technologies, and security integration for government and commer-cial clients. The division’s defense operations support war fighters with innovative, mission-critical solutions for the most challenging situations.

Manufac-turing and Distribution Services: Also within

the diversified portfolio is Cherokee Nation Industries. The company provides services in the aerospace, manufacturing and tele-communications industries. CNI recently partnered with Staples® Diversity One program to offer a complete line of innovative office and facility supply products and services to businesses throughout North America.

Cherokee Nation Businesses employees visit a work site.


Cherokee Nation Industries celebrates 45 years

In 1969, Cherokee Nation began a new business venture in Adair County to increase employment

opportunities for tribal citizens and to revitalize the rural economy in northeast Oklahoma.

Forty-five years later, more than 400 Cherokee Nation Industries employees and their families gath-ered in September to celebrate the company’s anniversary during an annual employee appreciation picnic in Stilwell.

“It’s an honor to celebrate the history and achievements of the tribe’s first workforce endeavor. So much time, energy and sacrifice went into making CNI possible 45 years ago, and its success over the years has touched so many Cher-okee lives,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “This celebration is a wonderful way to pay tribute to that legacy.”

Assembly line operations began on June 16, 1969, under the guid-ance and sponsorship of Phillips Petroleum and Western Electric Co., assisted by the Bureau of Indi-an Affairs. Thirteen Cherokee citi-zens found full-time employment manufacturing intricate electrical components used in telephones.

For many of the employees, it was their first full-time job.

CNI employee Kathy Littledave began working at CNI in February 1971 when she was only 19 years old.

“The plant gave people the opportunity to be close to their fam-ilies and close to their work so they could provide for them, and it is still doing that today,” said Littledave. “Whenever there was an opportuni-

ty I took it, and I worked my way up from night shift on the floor, into the office and up to management. Our company is still growing, and I am proud to work here.”

Today, the tribal enterprise spe-cializes in aerospace and defense manufacturing, telecommunica-tions and distribution services. With offices in Stilwell, Tahlequah, Pryor and Tulsa, CNI employs more than 450 people.

“One of the unique things about CNI is that we have such a large number of employees who have been with us for more than 20 years, and that’s not something you find at a lot of companies any-more,” said Chris Moody, president of CNI. “I believe that is because people are important to us here at CNI, and we continue to look for ways to develop and promote from within.”

NEW HIRE

Former White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs joins CNB

Cherokee Nation Business-es has named Kimberly Teehee Vice President of Special Projects and Interim Director of Govern-ment Relations.

Teehee, a Cherokee Nation citizen, will work with CNB’s ex-ecutive vice president and chief executive officer in a variety of capacities, while leveraging her extensive experience to advance the Cherokee Na-tion’s economic development priorities.

Teehee served three years as the first-ever senior policy advi-

sor for Native American affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council for President Obama’s administration. There she advised President Obama on Native American policy and worked with all federal agencies at the highest level in develop-ing and implementing policies focused on tribal consultation, tribal self-determination, economic growth, public safety, health care, education and re-solving longstanding disputes.

She was also instrumental in the three White House Tribal Nations Conferences and led a government-wide team to ensure progress was being made on trib-al policy and legislative priorities.

Prior to serving the White House, Kim was an advisor to Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., co-chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Native American Caucus. She served

the bi-partisan caucus for more than a decade and helped make legislative progress on array of Native American issues.

Teehee most recently worked for a Native American legislative policy firm in Washington, D.C.

The Claremore, Oklahoma, native worked a number of years for the Cherokee Nation prior to heading to the Nation’s capital. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern State University.

PROMOTION

CNB promotes longtime employee to chief information officer

Cherokee Nation Businesses has named Todd Gourd chief

information officer.

Gourd joined CNE in 2005 as an IT network administrator. He has since served in several roles in the depart-ment, including vice president of information technology.

As chief information officer, Gourd, a Cherokee Nation citi-zen, is responsible for providing strategic vision and leading the IT department. The department has more than 100 IT profession-als who support all businesses and divisions of CNB.

An Owasso native, he also serves on the board of directors for Rogers County Volunteers for Youth. Gourd holds a bachelor’s degree in business administra-tion from Langston University.

ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ | BUSINESS

Cherokee Nation Industries employees pose for a group photo during the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the company.


62nd CHEROKEE NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Enjoying the Holiday runDiligwa citizens play stickball

Cherokee Nation Color Guard

Jason Christie Fishing Derby

Danielle Culp

Game of marbles


Chelbie Turtle, 2014-2015 Junior Miss Cherokee

First Lady Sherry Baker with

Principal Chief Bill John Baker

Cherokee National Holiday Powwow



We’re less than six months away from the next Cherokee National Holiday!


Cherokee Hubbard Denwalt stands in front of her updated home, one of 457 benefiting from the Cherokee Nation Housing Rehab during the 2014 fiscal year.


Like thousands of other Cherokees, Denwalt lives in rural Oklahoma, and like thousands of her fellow citizens, she lives in a home built through the Hous-ing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.

The 87-year-old’s three-bedroom house was built in the early 1970s. The land was gifted to her by her aunt and uncle as part of the requirements for the program.

As she shares numerous stories about her time in the home, she continually smiles, showcasing her bubbly personality.

“There are a lot of good memories here and a few sad ones, but I have really enjoyed my home,” Den-walt says. “When you don’t have one and then you get one, you become real proud of it.”

Denwalt says she has a lot to be happy about and several things that make her proud, including the abundance of support she receives from Cherokee Nation.

On this day, a crew of contractors is putting the finishing touches on an $8,000 rehab project that was

funded through Cherokee Nation’s Community Ser-vices’ housing rehab program. This job is one of 457 to be completed by Cherokee Nation Housing Rehab during the 2014 fiscal year.

What was once a white house with blue trim shut-ters is now a soft yellow color. The shutters have been removed. Denwalt says, amid a soft giggle, it needed to happen for a long time because she never liked them anyway.

There are new windows, a new screen door and a new front door. There’s a gutter system. There’s a new concrete ramp leading into the house where the interior walls have been repainted for the first time. There is now a completely renovated bathroom and a new vent over her stove for those times when she accidentally burns a meal while preparing it.

One of her favorite features is the peep hole on the new front door. It’s located closer to the middle, which makes it easy for her to see out since she’s a petite 5 feet tall. When she shows how she can see out, she giggles.

Back outside, she introduces the four-person construction crew who spent the week working on her house. She brags on each worker and shares how proud she is of the work they’ve done.

Buster Gifford, a Cherokee Nation citizen who works for TERO company G&S Construction, is one of the contractors working on the house. For the last 15 years, he has mainly worked on Cherokee homes and says he stays busy year-round doing renovations.

He says this job is unique because one of his broth-ers was on the crew that originally built the house.

Renewing life the Cherokee wayTo get to Cherokee Hubbard

Denwalt’s home, one exits a highway then travels down curvy country roads lined with trees. As you drive the winding road, small houses sprinkle the landscape.

By Tim Landes


The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation was created in 1966 to provide affordable, safe and quality housing within the Cherokee Nation. Today, the department continues that original mission and is dedicated to providing housing assistance through a number of programs. Nearly 6,000 families are assisted with housing through the HACN on a number of programs.

College Housing AssistanceThe program assists low-income Cherokee citizens with secure, safe and affordable housing while they seek a first-time bachelor’s degree and maintain full-time student status at an accredited in-stitute of higher education. It provides students with up to $1,000 per semester for housing cost only and is based on need.

Mortgage Assistance ProgramThe program provides qualified Cherokee citizens with down payment and closing costs assistance in obtaining a mortgage to purchase or construct a home. Income guidelines are 80 percent of National Median Income or below.

Community Shield InsuranceProvides basic coverage for

the value of a dwelling and personal property.

Rental Assistance ProgramThis is designed to assist Native Americans with safe, affordable and quality hous-ing within Cherokee Nation jurisdictional boundaries. Income guidelines are 80 percent of National Median Income or below. Once approved, families must find their own unit, which

must be approved, and the landlord must be willing to enter into a contract with Cherokee Nation.

Low Income Rental HousingThe program’s purpose is to provide rental housing units for low-income households. The program manages and maintains more than 900 rental units throughout the Cherokee Nation.

Senior HousingThe Senior Housing Pro-gram (Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program) seeks to provide affordable, safe and quality housing for persons 62 years of age and older in an environment that encourages an active,

fulfilling lifestyle.

New Home ConstructionThis is an approach to developing and providing housing opportunities for Cherokee families. The pro-gram is designed to pro-vide a set payment option, allowing the family to rent to own the home. Houses are based on a basic floor plan of a modest size.

“It’s great to work for somebody like her because she really appreciates it,” Gifford says. “It really means a lot to help Chero-kee elders.”

Denwalt is extremely fond of her four-plus decades of life in the house. She recounts stories of her kids living there and what it’s like when the extended family shows up for holidays.

“I have three kids, six grandkids and 11 great-grandkids,” Denwalt says. “When they all get here, now that’s a house full.”

The housing program is not the only Cherokee Nation service Denwalt depends on. She has nothing but great things to say about the health care system because she’s

witnessed its evolution into what she con-siders one of Cherokee Nation’s greatest strengths.

It also saved her life.A regular patient at Wilma P. Mankiller

Health Center since it opened in 1991, it was during a routine visit more than a year ago that doctors discovered she had a cancerous mass on her sternum and three in her stomach.

Denwalt beams with pride as she reflects on the staff and the health center’s high-tech treatment of her cancer, which is now in remission.

“[Cherokee Nation Health Services] have come a long way. You used to just

about have to sit all day and travel far to get treated,” Denwalt says. “We don’t know how lucky we are. That’s the bottom line. We just don’t know how lucky we Chero-kees are.”

As she walks around her house showing off all the recent updates, Denwalt says she plans to continue enjoying her home before it is time to pass it on to her family.

“I’m going to enjoy this house like I have all those other years,” Denwalt says. “I tell the kids I’m going to live to be 100, and I think I’m going to make it.”

For more information on these services,

visit www.hacn.org/services or call 918-456-5482.

Denwalt’s home after renovations

Denwalt’s home nearly two decades ago

Denwalt’s recently updated kitchen

Renewing life the Cherokee way


ENTERTAINMENT |ᎤᎾᏛᏁᎸᏗ

INVESTING MILLIONS THAT ARE

Changingthe GameNew construction brings additional jobs, entertainment and amenities to northeast Oklahoma

In the past several months, Cherokee Nation Entertainment has announced several devel-opment projects. The projects include new

casinos in Roland and South Coffeyville, shop-ping outlets and an entertainment district next to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, and a new retail development in Tahlequah. These

projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs.

“We have been working hard to create a unique gaming destination experience at each of our casino properties. We want our guests to have the best experience possible while they visit,” said Cherokee Nation Princi-

pal Chief Bill John Baker. “These projects will create jobs, both directly and indirectly, for Cherokee citizens where they live and provide a boost to our business profits. In turn, they give us more funding to help the Cherokee people. It’s a win-win for our people and our guests.”

CNE officials are thinking outside the box for these future investments, planning to challenge the current norm in gaming.

Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland The 170,000-square-foot facility that will re-

place the existing casino in Roland is moving ahead. Construction crews have been working around the clock to finish concrete and raise the steel beams that will support the $80 million structure.

The next phase of construction includes completing the exterior skin and framing and roofing the casino and hotel. Construction crews will then finish the interior, including framing walls, rough-end electrical work, plumbing, and heating and air.

Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland will be the tallest building in Sequoyah County and bring hundreds of new jobs to the area.

Rendering of Cherokee Outlets & The District


Cherokee Casino South CoffeyvilleThe Cherokee Nation and citizens of Nowata

County are celebrating more than a hundred new jobs to the area, ushered in by the opening of the new Cherokee Casino South Coffeyville.

“Of the 135 jobs already filled at this casino, more than 100 of those employees are Chero-kee citizens. That’s huge,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “We have more Cherokees employed in our businesses than ever before. That’s accomplishing the goal, folks. These jobs provide a good quality of life for our people and generate funding to expand services for those in need.”

The community gathered to cut the ribbon, signifying the opening of the new $10 million development. Cherokee Casino South Cof-feyville offers 300 electronic games and a din-ing venue featuring lunch, dinner and cocktails.

Cherokee Springs PlazaPerhaps one of the largest undertakings at

CNE is a three-phase dining, entertainment and retail development project in Tahlequah.

Cherokee Springs Plaza is a $170 million venture planned to enhance tourism and economic devel-opment for the tribe’s capital, while bringing fresh retail and dining options to the market. Cherokee Casino Tahlequah will ultimately be replaced.

Covering an estimated 1.3 million square feet of space, it will join Cherokee Springs Golf Course, which CNB purchased in 2012. The result

will be a travel and gaming destination, including a resort hotel, convention center and new golf clubhouse.

The retail portion of construction will create a retail destination along Grand Boulevard to attract shops and dining venues not currently found in the area.

More than 50 casino jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs will be available in Cherokee County and surrounding areas with this new growth.

Project completion is slated for 2019 and is divided into three major phases.

Cherokee Outlets & The DistrictThe latest development at Hard Rock Hotel

& Casino Tulsa is the Cherokee Outlets & The District. The proposed $80 million upscale retail development is a partnership with commercial real estate developer Woodmont Outlets.

The partnership is planned to create a unique gaming experience for Tulsa and surrounding ar-eas. Cherokee Outlets will occupy property west of the Catoosa casino in a lease agreement with CNB. The shopping destination is projected to offer more than 300,000 square feet of leasable space, with a focus on premium and upscale shops for about 100 retailers.

“It’s time for us to raise the standard in gaming and entertainment in Oklahoma,” said Shawn Slaton, chief executive officer for Cherokee Nation Businesses. “Our development of The District, an exclusive entertainment and dining zone, connects Cherokee Outlets to the casino.”

The District will include a wide variety of din-ing and entertainment options for all ages.

“We anticipate this will create 1,000 per-manent jobs for the region,” said Slaton. “The construction phase will add hundreds of extra jobs, leaving a lasting impact on and raising the standard of living for Cherokees in this region.”

While the proposed Cherokee Outlets will be located on Cherokee Nation-owned land, all retail sales will be subject to state and local sales tax.

Cherokee Springs Plaza master plan development

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa renovates original hotel tower

10-year-old hotel tower receives upgrades

Guests who stay in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa’s original hotel tower will enjoy recently renovated rooms that feature numerous styles of Cherokee art.

“We want to continue to provide our guests with the best accommoda-tions and entertainment experience,” said Jon Davidson, senior director of hospitality. “The finishings in this tower have held up extremely well given the occupancy we see here. Our guests enjoy these rooms and are excited about the upgrades.”

The tower opened in 2004, when the entertainment venue was known as Cherokee Casino Resort. Upgrades to the 150-room, six-story tower bring modern finishes, including new paint, carpet, wallpaper, furniture, fixtures and artwork.

The artwork was produced by Cherokee citizens and includes three-dimensional art, such as tex-tiles, baskets, painted feathers, arrows, moccasins, blowguns, soapstone pipes, stickball items and walking sticks.

ᎤᎾᏛᏁᎸᏗ | ENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT |ᎤᎾᏛᏁᎸᏗ

Rendering of Cherokee Casino South Coffeyville


CULTURE |ᏄᏍᏛ ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏗ

Cherokee Nation preserves culture, supports art through new construction

Cherokee Nation Businesses employees hang a military newspaper from 1918 at Cherokee Nation Veterans Center.

The Deep Creek exhibit at Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs features authentic Cherokee art from Cherokee National Treasures Roger Cain, Shawna Morton Cain and Noel Grayson, as well as artists Joseph Erb, Lisa Rutherford, Corey Still and Virginia Stroud.

Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses are using new construction and renovations to

procure, preserve and display cultural artifacts and artwork.

“The Cherokee culture is widely recog-nized for its historic and modern-day con-tributions to the landscape of American Indian art,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “For the Cherokee Nation, supporting and preserving those contributions is a matter of law and a prin-ciple I have endorsed for years. By making investments in our Cherokee artisans, we are preserving our culture and heritage while increasing our ability to share it with the world.”

The tribe and its businesses spent nearly $300,000 on Cherokee art, artifacts and display items in 2014. The numbers continue to grow as more construction projects like health centers and casinos are completed.

In accordance with Cherokee Nation law, when the price of a renovation or new construction project exceeds $500,000, 1 percent of the cost is set aside for procurement of Cherokee art.

The law calls for those funds to be used for any form of art deemed historic, cultural or traditional, including crafts, paintings, beadwork, sculptures and landscaping. It also allows for the expense of preserving, displaying and installing such art.

“Earmarking specific funds from these investments shows our commitment to preserving Cherokee culture and art for future generations,” said Shawn Slaton, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses.

Renovations to a hotel tower at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa are providing new ways to display Cherokee artwork and artifacts. Rooms include three-dimen-sional art such as textiles, baskets, painted feathers, arrows, moccasins, blowguns, soapstone pipes, stickball items and walking sticks, in addition to reproduction wall art.

At the Cherokee Nation Veterans Center in Tahlequah, original paintings hang throughout the building and display cases are filled with memorabilia and photo-graphs associated with Cherokee citizens who have served in the military.

Cherokee art and artifacts are on display at most tribal properties, including govern-ment and business offices, health centers and each of the eight Cherokee Casinos.

A catalogue of the tribe’s collection is accessi-ble through an online art database at http://cnart.pastperfect-online.com.


ᏄᏍᏛ ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏗ | CULTURE

Cherokee Nation, Gilcrease Museum partner for Cherokee exhibit

Cherokee Nation and Gilcrease Museum have announced a partnership to create a special Cherokee exhibition that will display an estimated 100 items from Cherokee history. It is slated to open in 2017.

To kick off the collaboration, Cherokee Nation officials con-tributed $100,000 to help fund the temporary exhibit.

“The Gilcrease Museum has proven time and time again to be a great partner to the Chero-kee Nation, and together we are creating an exhibit that showcas-es some of the most significant documents and artifacts in the rich history of our people,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “For Cherokee citizens, few things are more important than preserving who we are as a tribe. The Gilcrease understands that and is working diligently with the Cherokee Nation to create a narrative that is authentic, accurate and appropriate.”

The exhibition, “Emergence of Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory,” will share the story of Cherokees leading up to forced removal, also known as the Trail of Tears, and after the tribe settled in Tahlequah and began to form a new government.

“The time span of the exhi-bition illustrates not only an important time in the history of the Cherokee people, but also an important moment in what would become the state of Oklahoma,” said Susan Neal, interim chief operating officer of

Gilcrease Museum. Most of the items will come

from the Gilcrease collection, but museum officials plan to show-case significant Cherokee items from other museums as well.

Among the items that are slated to be on display will be portraits of famous Cherokee leaders and other art and artifacts.

Museum officials will work closely with Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism in the develop-ment of the exhibition.

Much of the focus of Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism’s work during the last six years has been on this time period in Cherokee history. Its efforts in preservation and cultural tourism in northeast Oklahoma have resulted in the tribe’s heritage and history being sustained for future generations.

The project complements an ongoing partnership between Cherokee Nation translators and Gilcrease Museum to translate Cherokee documents to English for the first time ever.

“Cherokee Voices, Cherokee Sounds” radio show celebrates 10 years on air

The first time fluent Cherokee speaker Dennis Sixkiller spoke into a microphone, it took several min-utes for any words to come out.

“It was the first time I recorded a radio show, and I was so nervous. I had no clue what to say,” Sixkiller said.

That was more than a decade ago when Sixkiller broadcast his very first “Cherokee Voices, Chero-kee Sounds” radio show, the only program in Oklahoma to air in the Cherokee language. After record-ing, he would deliver his cassette tapes to the radio stations.

“Cherokee Voices, Cherokee Sounds” is an hour-long program in both the Cherokee and English languages and includes Cherokee music, interviews with elder speak-ers, and information on Cherokee Nation community news.

The program has exposed the Cherokee language and culture to people around the world.

“It may be the only place outside of the Cherokee Nation for many people to hear the language,” Sixkiller said. “I’ve had people call

from as far away as Canada and Australia to say they listen. One guy called from Canada to say hearing all the Cherokee songs on the show is so refreshing that it’s like standing in a shower. People from everywhere say they like to listen.”

Sixkiller, a native of Jay, grew up with Cherokee as his first spoken language. He learned to read and write the Cherokee syllabary in 2001 through classes offered by Cherokee Nation.

He worked for the tribe 23 years ago in housekeeping and

then the mailroom before being approached to host the radio show as a fluent speaker.

“When I was first asked to do the program, I thought it was a joke,” Sixkiller said. “But when offered the opportunity again I said I would try, and I’ve been trying for 10 years now.”

Sixkiller now works in the com-munications department recording his shows weekly and works part time in language translation.

“‘Cherokee Voices, Cherokee Sounds’ is a wonderful outreach lan-guage experience for speakers and learners of the Cherokee language,” said Dr. Hugh Foley, professor of cin-ema and Native American studies at Rogers State University and faculty advisor to KRSC-FM. “The program il-lustrates the unique environment of northeastern Oklahoma, where the Cherokee language is still spoken and sung by many people. Airing the program on RSU Radio allows us to understand that we are all part of a very rich cultural tapestry in the state of Oklahoma.”

Listen upThe radio program airs

on five stations within the Cherokee Nation’s tribal jurisdiction and can be heard on http://www.cherokee.org/News/RadioShow.aspx.

The show can also be heard on these stations during the following times:

BARTLESVILLE• KWON 1400 AM –

Sundays, 9 to 10 a.m.

CLAREMORE• KRSC 91.3 FM – Sundays,

noon to 1 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 to 9 a.m.

TAHLEQUAH• KEOK 102.1 FM –

Sundays, 8 to 9 a.m.• KTLQ 1350 AM –

Sundays, noon to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 5 to 6 p.m.

VINITA• KGND 1470 AM –

Sundays, 9 to 10 a.m.

“Cherokee Voices, Cherokee Sounds” radio show host Dennis Sixkiller

Steadman Upham, president of the University of Tulsa, and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker unveil a $100,000 contribution from the Cherokee Nation to Gilcrease Museum for a future special exhibition.


Making Kanuchi

Like many other traditional Cherokee dishes, there are numerous, highly personalized recipes for creating delicious dishes. Here is one for making kanuchi.

To make a kanuchi ball, you need hickory nuts. Usually, these are gathered in the fall and allowed to dry a few weeks. Once the nuts are dry, you can make a kanuchi ball.

Crack the hickory nuts. Next, shell the nuts by shaking the pieces through a woven basket or picking them out by hand.

To make a kanuchi ball in the traditional fashion, hollow out a section of a log or a tree stump into a bowl-like shape. Place the shelled hickory nuts into the area

and pound them with a long heavy stick until their consistency can be formed into a 3” diameter ball that will retain its shape. Once you’ve shaped them, place them in a freezer until you’re ready to use them.

When you’re ready to make your kanuchi, you’ll need:• 1 kanuchi ball• 1-1/2 C. cooked rice or hominy• 1 quart of water• Pinch of salt• Sugar to taste (optional)

Steps as shown above:1-2. Gather ingredients. Allow kanuchi ball to thaw if frozen.3. Bring water to a boil.4-6. Place ball into a zip top bag and gently break apart, then stir into the boiling water.7-8. Lower heat and let mixture simmer for 10-20 minutes.9. Drain through a sieve to re-move hickory shells. Broth should be slightly thickened, about the consistency of light cream. Some nut meats will remain.10-11. Add rice or hominy, plus sugar and salt. You can serve unsweetened--just leave out the sugar.12. Serve warm and enjoy!

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cherokee Nation was named Tribal Destination of the Year by the American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Association.

• The Cherokee Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.

• Cherokee Nation Health Services was awarded the Edward R. Loveland Memorial Award for making significant contributions in health-related fields.

CULTURE | ᏄᏍᏛ ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏗ

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