Cherokee Chief Urges Strategic Investment in Tribal Health and Wellness: A Call to Action

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. recently delivered his seventh State of the Nation address during the 73rd Annual Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah. He emphasized the need for significant investments in health and wellness, housing, and job training.

In a world marked by division, Hoskin highlighted the tribe’s unity. He urged the Council to boost funding for the Public Health and Wellness Fund, which supports various health programs. The fund, established under the 2021 Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, has already brought record investments to wellness centers and treatment facilities.

Hoskin proposed increasing the fund’s allocation from 7% to 10% of the tribe’s health care revenue, aiming to secure $30 million over three years for affordable housing, community spaces, and public safety. Recognizing the struggles of rural tribal communities, he reiterated the need for long-term investments. “If our communities fade away in this century, it will be our failure,” he said.

He shared plans for numerous capital projects while the tribe is already engaged in over a billion dollars in ongoing initiatives. A significant highlight is the upcoming Cherokee Nation Claremore Emergency and Outpatient Center, set to open on October 1. This facility will receive an $11 million investment and will include a partnership for seamless obstetric care.

Additionally, a new drug treatment facility for adults is slated to open in Tahlequah in 2026, along with a proposal for an outpatient center in Vinita. Designs for residential recovery centers across the reservation are also in the works.

Hoskin announced revitalization plans for the Cherokee Heritage Center, which has been closed since 2020. This move reflects a trend among tribes to enhance cultural heritage sites, aligning with broader efforts to promote Indigenous history and unity.

Recent surveys show that community wellness initiatives are increasingly important to tribal members, with over 80% expressing support for enhanced health services. Investing in health not only benefits individuals but strengthens the entire community.

For further details on Chief Hoskin’s address, you can read the full text here.

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