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"New Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Ron Foster addresses the Tribal Council during the March meeting in Tahlequah." TAHLEQUAH, OK — The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council passed a legislative act relating to the duties of the tribe’s Attorney General during its March meeting held recently at the Tribal Complex south of Tahlequah. Currently, the Cherokee Constitution states that the role of the Attorney General is to represent Cherokee Nation with other duties left open to interpretation. Under the new act, the duties are better defined and follow similar responsibilities as the state and federal attorney general offices. “I am very pleased we got this statutory framework passed,” said Cherokee Nation Attorney General Diane Hammons. “I appreciate the Tribal Council’s diligence in this matter.” The Council also confirmed Principal Chief Chad Smith’s re-nomination of John T. Cripps as a District Judge of the Cherokee Nation District Court. The role of the District Court system is to hear all cases brought before it under jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation judicial code. A district judge and an associate judge preside over court proceedings. During the monthly State of the Nation address, Smith congratulated the Sequoyah boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for their winning efforts during the state tournament. For the third straight year, the Sequoyah girls’ team proudly displayed the state championship trophy to the Council and those in attendance. The boys’ team was also recognized for their hard-fought battle against defending champion Oklahoma City Millwood. Video highlights of the games were shown to the audience and both teams received a standing ovation for their efforts. He also welcomed Ron Foster as the new CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses. In other business, the Council unanimously passed two resolutions. The first authorized the Commerce Department to apply for funding in the amount of $750,000 from USDA for the tribe’s Small Business Loan Program. The second grant application will be for the Cherokee Nation Environmental Program for a tribal wildlife grant in the amount of $86,000. The application will be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council will be held Monday, April 16, at 6 p.m. at the tribal complex south of Tahlequah.

Related Cherokee Nation 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