Building Safer Cherokee Communities

Osiyo,

Local Cherokee communities have always thrived on a simple but powerful principle: We look after one another. Whether we're celebrating our culture, sharing a meal, honoring our elders or lending a hand, our community gatherings reflect the very best of who we are as Cherokee people.

Under the Hoskin-Warner administration, we've made historic investments to strengthen and protect the places where our people gather. Now, we're taking another important step to make sure those gathering spaces are not just welcoming but also safe and secure.

At our recent Community and Cultural Outreach grant conference, I announced a new Community Building Safety Initiative. We're committing up to $180,000 through the Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Fund Act to improve emergency preparedness at Cherokee community buildings.

This means installing automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, and stocking first aid kits at every Cherokee Nation community building. We'll also offer first aid and AED training for community organization members, while Special Envoy to the U.S. Department of Justice and Senior Advisor on Public Safety Mike Shambaugh will lead building-safety inspections across the Nation.

These are practical investments, but they can save lives. When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, every second matters. Having an AED close at hand, along with someone trained to use it, can make all the difference before emergency help arrives.

Our community buildings host countless gatherings, bringing together elders, families and children. We owe it to them to make sure these Cherokee spaces are ready for an emergency.

Through our Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, we've built 11 new community buildings among the 35 Cherokee Nation-owned facilities operated by our CCO organizations. We've also invested in improvements, expanded programming and installed emergency generators to make our communities more resilient.

But our commitment doesn't end at bricks and mortar.

We recently rolled out the findings of the Condit Report, a thorough review of how Cherokee Nation supports our people living outside the reservation. It was spearheaded by California-based Cherokee citizen Channce Condit, and it recommends dedicated staff support for all at-large organizations, better communication, welcome kits and easier online access to community resources.

These efforts all share the same purpose: making sure Cherokee citizens have the support and resources they deserve, no matter where they live.

For fiscal year 2027, Cherokee Nation is investing more than $6 million in CCO grants, on top of our continued wellness grants and food distribution programs that directly benefit Cherokee families.

Strong communities take more than buildings. They take thoughtful planning, dedicated volunteers, meaningful investment and a commitment to looking out for one another.

By prioritizing safety, wellness and community connection, we honor the Cherokee value of Gadugi - working together for the good of all - and can build a stronger future for the generations who come after us.

Wado,

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Principal Chief