"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee's Minimum Wage Increases

***"Dottie Dorsel is an EVS attendant at Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah who is looking forward to once again seeing a wage increase on her paycheck."***

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The second phase of a tribally-legislated minimum wage act is set to take effect soon as the Cherokee Nation will once again raise the tribe’s minimum wage on Sunday, October 14.

“The goal of our government and businesses is to work toward the betterment of our citizens, our employees and communities,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “To ensure a more stable financial foundation to all of our employees, we feel that it’s our duty to help provide a base salary that reflects the rising cost of living.”

In November of 2006, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council passed a minimum wage act. According to the act, the wage increase will be implemented over a two year period. The first increase took place in January of this year and raised the Cherokee Nation’s minimum wage to $7.50 per hour. The wage increase in October will raise the tribe’s minimum pay to $8.25 and will include a raise increase for any employee being paid between $7.50 and $8.99 per hour prior to the effective date in October and in accordance with a pre-determined scale. In October 2008, Cherokee Nation and its entities will provide a minimum pay of $9 per hour to employees.

Dottie Dorsel is an EVS attendant at Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah who is looking forward to once again seeing a wage increase on her paycheck. Dorsel commends the Cherokee Nation for its service to the workforce that the tribe and its entities employ.

“When I first started working for CNE, I was surprised that their minimum wage was higher than the federal government’s,” said Dorsel. “I was thankful for the first raise in January. This next raise will help to create a better quality of life for me and so many others. I live by myself, so my job is the only source of income for me. This extra money will help me to do more for myself and will allow me to spend more time with my grandkids. I might even buy a new car. I am not Cherokee, but I’m impressed at the lengths that the Cherokee Nation goes to provide for not just its citizens, but for the community.”

“We want to provide our workforce with good jobs, good benefits, good opportunities and good wages." said Smith. "By doing so, we are better able to strengthen our communities, our families, our government and its citizens.”