Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner release task force report, propose emergency response fund

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner publicly released the tribe's recent disaster response task force report and proposed an emergency response fund.

"I appreciate the work of our disaster response task force," said Chief Hoskin. "Council members have encouraged prompt implementation of additional emergency response funds recommended by the task force and Deputy Chief Warner and I are listening."

Last August Chief Hoskin established a task force by executive order to evaluate the tribe's emergency response operations.

The task force issued a report on December 6, 2024, outlining recommendations to improve emergency response.

Among the task force's recommendations were:

• Establish clearer authority and accountability for emergency response.
• Defined, quick timelines for issuing an emergency declaration.
• Perform annual training simulations for key emergency response personnel.
• Establish a perpetual disaster response fund.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner have proposed an amendment to the tribe's Emergency Management Act to create the "Cherokee Nation Community and Citizen Emergency Response fund."

The proposed fund would begin at $1 million in the current fiscal year and build up over time to a cap of $5 million. The fund would be used to mitigate individual and community losses due to disasters, such as loss of food, shelter or other disaster-related economic impact as well as purchasing relevant equipment and supplies.

"Certainly we have had emergency response funds in place for years," said Deputy Chief Warner. "But this proposal gives that funding more structure and helps us build up the funding over time."

Council Deputy Speaker Kevin Easley Jr., one of the proposal's legislative sponsors, praised the measure.

"When disaster strikes, the Cherokee people need assurances that funds are available to assist in recovery and that the funds will be distributed quickly," said Easley.

Cherokee Councilor Danny Callison, the measure's co-sponsor, said last spring's tornadoes tested the tribe's emergency response operations and revealed opportunities to improve.

"Flexibility and speed are important when disaster strikes," said Callison. "Although it will take time to build up the emergency response fund, the people I represent can have peace of mind that emergency assistance, food security and other forms of help can be paid for with these funds."

The proposed legislation also provides that the tribes' new "Gadugi Corps" disaster response volunteer network be "activated" during times of a declared disaster to assist with response and recovery.

The "Cherokee Nation Task Force on Disaster Response" report is available to review on the tribe's website, Cherokee.org.

Task force members included:

• Corey Bunch, Chief of Staff (Chair)
• Shella Bowlin, Secretary of State (Co-Chair)
• Todd Enlow, Executive Director of Housing Programs and Senior Advisor to the Principal Chief
• Taralee Montgomery, Senior Policy Advisor
• Philip Manes, former Senior Director of Public Safety
• Jennifer Kirby, Executive Director of Human Services
• Mike Shambaugh, Speaker of the Council of the Cherokee Nation (or Speaker's designated member of the Council)
• Danny Callison, Council of the Cherokee Nation District 15
• Kevin Easley Jr., Deputy Speaker, Council of the Cherokee Nation District 14

Chief Hoskin explained that when disaster strikes, Cherokee Nation's emergency response team works with other emergency response agencies and nonprofits for response and recovery.

"Disaster response and recovery never falls on one government, even one as adept as Cherokee Nation," said Chief Hoskin. "The reason we often respond quicker and do more than many other governments is because we believe in teamwork across agencies and, as evidenced by our task force, we are always willing to look at ourselves critically and find ways to improve."

Chief Hoskin said he will continue to work with Deputy Chief Warner, his cabinet and the Council to evaluate and potentially implement the remainder of the task force's recommendations.

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