"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Council Approves HACN Unification

"The Cherokee National Youth Choir took time to perform Christmas carols
for the Tribal Council during the monthly Council meeting held at the Cherokee Nation complex in Tahlequah."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved the unification of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation programs under the Cherokee Nation government during the Council’s monthly meeting in Tahlequah. The plan for the unification was announced by the tribe in November.

Currently, the Cherokee Nation operates 18 of 25 housing programs, with the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation operating the other seven. By unifying the housing programs under one structure, the plan’s proponents hope to see cohesiveness in the program to match other services offered by the tribe.

“People think we operate the housing programs. It only makes sense that we operate them under the Cherokee Nation government structure, just like we do with health care, education and our other programs,” said Tribal Council Member Cara Cowan-Watts, representing Rogers Country.

“This move brings numerous programs under one umbrella, which should improve accountability, efficiency, and foster cohesive collaboration among the various assistance programs which provide services throughout the Cherokee Nation,” said Tribal Council Member Chris Soap, representing Mayes County.

As part of the official action taken, approximately $6.5 million in funding will be transferred to the Cherokee Nation from the operating fund of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.

The Tribal Council also authorized remote attendance of members of the Council for official tribal meetings. The two At-Large Council Members and any other Council Member traveling on official Cherokee Nation business would be permitted to be in remote attendance.

In other business, the Council approved a resolution requesting the United States Congress to declare the Claremore Indian Hospital and the surrounding parcel of land as Indian Country, allowing better security enforcement from the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service when needed.

The Council also approved the nomination of Jennifer Barger Johnson and John A. Ketcher to the Elected Officials Compensation Committee and approved a loan from Cherokee Nation Businesses to Cherokee Nation Comprehensive Care Agency.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council will be Monday, January 14, at 6 p.m. at the tribal complex south of Tahlequah.