"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Council Approves Day Work Expansion

***"Chief Chad Smith (right) places the Cherokee Warrior medal on Major Joel Graham during the November CN Tribal Council meeting."***

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted unanimously to put an additional $300,000 into the recently developed day work program, which was announced in September and was designed to provide immediate assistance to Cherokee citizens that are unemployed and need a temporary helping hand.

“We started the program to provide help to Cherokee people by allowing them the opportunity to work for assistance while they continue trying to secure full-time employment or assistance through other programs,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We recognized the needs of many of our citizens, and this program gives them daily pay for daily work, helping them meet their immediate needs.”

More than 3,000 daily temp jobs have been provided to Cherokees thus far, with up to 200 individuals coming in each day to be given their assignment with a Cherokee Nation program. In the past six weeks, the program has paid out nearly $170,000 for work performed.

During his State of the Nation address, Smith updated the Council on his recent attendance at a Tribal Summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. Smith said the summit, which was a promise made by Obama during the presidential campaign, was attended by approximately 400 officials from federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.

“He (the President) opened his talk saying he would like to have a nation-to-nation relationship between the tribes and the United States,” Smith said. “He also reaffirmed the policy of having meaningful consultation with the tribes. While we’ve heard these words before, what was appreciated in this summit was his follow through with actions.”

Smith added that each of the Secretaries of the varying U.S. agencies, the Cabinet heads, were to meet with the tribes and provide a report back to his administration within the next 90 days.

During his address, Smith also recognized veterans Owen Scott and Joel Graham. Scott and Graham were awarded with the Cherokee Warriors medal for their military service.

The Council also passed a resolution ratifying an agreement with the United States Department of Transportation which will allow the tribe to make direct agreements in regards to roads. The purpose of this resolution is to approve an Indian Reservation and Roads Program agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Receiving funding directly from the Federal Highway Administration is expected to be less cumbersome and result in timely payment to the Cherokee Nation.

In addition, the Council approved confirmed the nomination of Larry Adair as a Commissioner for the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission and passed a resolution opposing a Class II salt water injection well permit being issued in Vian.

The next regular meeting for the Council is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14 at the Cherokee Nation complex in Tahlequah.