Cherokee Nation Opens State-of-the-art Head Start in Stilwell

STILWELL, Okla. - Cherokee Nation leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the tribe's new state-of-the-art Stilwell Head Start during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 6.

The $6.7 million dollar investment from the tribe will serve nearly 20 children from surrounding communities.

The new 9,300-square-foot Head Start will replace the tribe's two aging facilities in Stilwell and Cherry Tree and will expand Head Start services in the region.

"Early Head Start and Head Starts across the reservation have the ability to change the trajectory of a child's life and the wellbeing of their communities," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "We have concluded a tremendous $80 million investment across seven locations through the Verna D. Thompson Act because the children across the Cherokee Nation Reservation deserve to learn and grow in these world class facilities."

The facility features classrooms and an indoor gross motor room which is a FEMA rated storm shelter, too. The classrooms feature heated floors for the youth to walk and play on and a spacious enclosed outdoor playground with a hanging garden is located outside the facility as well.

"It's a blessing to see all these little Cherokees learning in a safe, warm, and loving environment," said Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. "Our children are our future and historically the Cherokee people have always invested into our youth because they are our greatest asset."

This facility marks the final upgrade out of seven facilities proposed through the historic Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act of 2021, which was reauthorized in 2024 through legislation proposed by Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. The updated law injects a total of $80 million into replacing or rehabilitating aging Head Start centers across the reservation, with new state-of-the-art facilities.

The historic law was named after the tribe's Head Start Director Verna Thompson, who has served the Cherokee Nation for nearly 40 years in early childhood education.

"My fellow councilors and I are incredibly proud to have unanimously supported the Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act," said District 7 Councilor Joshua Sam. "Families and children deserve this investment, and we'll be reaping the benefit for generations to come."

The tribe completed other Head Start facilities in Tahlequah, Jay, Salina, Nowata, Pryor and Kenwood.

Cherokee Nation serves over 900 children through its Head Start programs, which were first started in 1978. Cherokee Nation's Head Start students range from six weeks to 5-year-olds.

The federal Head Start program was established in 1965 and recently celebrated its 60-year anniversary in May 2025. Head Start serves over 40 million children across the U.S., and over half of the Head Starts in the U.S. are located in rural communities.

"Education is an exercise of tribal sovereignty," said Education Services Interim Executive Director Aaron Emberton. "Head Start and Early Head Start gives families peace-of-mind that their children are taken care of while they're at work."

For more information about Cherokee Nation Head Start visit
https://www.cherokee.org/all-services/education-services/early-childhood-unit/