"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Contribute to Schools

***"Dr. Keith Ballard"***

Dr. Keith Ballard, Tulsa Public Schools superintendant, speaks about the commitment Cherokee Nation makes to education during a press conference on Monday. From car tag revenue the Cherokee Nation contributed more than $3 million to 107 schools throughout Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction.

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Cherokee Nation is contributing more than $3 million to 107 school districts in northeastern Oklahoma that fall within its boundaries. The funds distributed to schools were generated from the sale of Cherokee Nation car tags over the last year. A press conference held in Tulsa on Monday announced the school districts that will be receiving this year’s contributions and brought together leadership from the Cherokee Nation and some of those schools.

“We believe that the biggest opportunity, charge and challenge that we have as a government is to create leaders—leaders that can lead themselves into good and sound decisions, who can go on to contribute to their communities, their families and the entire nation, ” said Principal Chief Chad Smith. “So we believe that education is the process and leadership is the product. What you’ve witnessed today is our investment in education to help create leadership in the Cherokee Nation, which will not only increase the quality of life for ourselves, but also for our neighbors.” Smith noted that the $3 million will help not only the 21,000 Cherokee students in the area schools but all the other students and staff in those schools as well.

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard noted that the Cherokee Nation’s support for education is well-documented and said that he and the superintendents of other public schools were very appreciative of the contributions.

“This [contribution] is very beneficial to Tulsa Public Schools and to the other public schools in Oklahoma,” said Ballard.

Meredith Frailey, Cherokee Nation Speaker of the Tribal Council said that Cherokee Nation leaders have always had education as a goal and today’s leaders feel the same.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with our schools to insure not only that Cherokee children, but also all children, are guaranteed a sound and quality education,” said Frailey. “We believe that partnering with our schools and the state of Oklahoma help insure that we have a happy, healthy people, for what better way is there than through educational pursuits to obtain that goal.”

Since 2002 the Cherokee Nation has contributed more than $16 million just through the car tag program. Under Cherokee Nation law, the tribe gives schools within its jurisdiction 38 percent of the revenues generated by tag sales. These funds are distributed based on number of Cherokee students per school district.

A great benefit to the contribution is that the schools can use the funds however they choose. In the past, schools have used these funds for after-school programs, culture programs, exercise programs, gas for school buses and more.