The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign tribal government. Upon settling in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) after the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee people established a new government in what is now the city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A constitution was adopted on September 6, 1839, 68 years prior to Oklahoma’s statehood.
Today, the Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the United States with more than 430,000 tribal citizens worldwide. More than 141,000 Cherokee Nation citizens reside within the tribe’s reservation boundaries in northeastern Oklahoma. Services provided include health and human services, education, employment, housing, economic and infrastructure development, environmental protection and more. With approximately 11,000 employees, Cherokee Nation and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma. The tribe had a more than $2.16 billion economic impact on the Oklahoma economy in fiscal year 2018.
MISSION:
The Cherokee Nation is committed to protecting our inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting Cherokee culture, language and values, and improving the quality of life for the next seven generations of Cherokee Nation citizens.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner gathered with members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation and tribal employees to officially sign into law the Cherokee Nation Family Protection and Violence Against Women Act Friday morning in Tahlequah.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. spoke to thousands of Cherokee citizens and guests from the heart of the tribe’s capital city Saturday morning for his fourth State of the Nation address, emphasizing the strength of the tribe and its more than 430,000 citizens who live on the Cherokee Nation Reservation and around the world.
The honor marks the first time the Cherokee Nation tribal government has been recognized by Forbes as among Oklahoma’s most successful employers and best places to work in the state. The prestigious award was announced this week by Forbes and Statista Inc., and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. celebrated the recognition Thursday with employees.
Cherokee speakers from across the United States gathered with Cherokee Nation leaders for the grand opening of the tribe’s new, historic $20 million Durbin Feeling Language Center. The 52,000-square-foot building in Tahlequah will house all of the Cherokee Nation’s growing language programs under one roof.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Rules, reminding the United States of the binding commitment it made nearly 200 years ago, during the first-ever hearing on the Cherokee Nation’s treaty-mandated delegate.
