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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation has received a settlement check for more than $237,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI). The settlement compensates the Cherokee Nation for the DOI’s late payment of money to the Cherokee Nation’s roads program.

"We had to fight to get this money", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We work hard every day to make sure that we are getting the most out of our resources and providing the most services we can for the dollar."

DOI funds the Cherokee Nation for some of the road and bridge construction projects the tribe completes. Slow payment can cause delays of ongoing projects, loss of interest income and other difficulties.

The settlement is for $237,766, which includes interest from August 6, 2001. The interest is from late payment in 2001. The Cherokee Nation is still seeking to settle a similar claim against the DOI from 2000.

The Cherokee Nation has spent more than $32 million on roads in northeastern Oklahoma over the past 11 years and has another $60 million in progress.

"We have a strong commitment to building roads in northeastern Oklahoma", Smith said. "Our effort to get this additional money proves that we will do what it takes to get the job done."

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org