Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner sign legislation for $10 million Addiction Treatment Center in Stilwell

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner gathered with other Cherokee Nation leaders on Monday to sign legislation earmarking $10 million for the construction of an outpatient drug use disorder facility in Stilwell.

The Council of the Cherokee Nation officially approved Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner's legislation during the November meeting.

"The passage of this legislation represents another important step in our commitment to addressing substance use disorder and expanding access to recovery care for our citizens," Chief Hoskin said. "This is a vital step in creating opportunities for healing, strengthening families and building healthier communities for years to come."

This $10 million outpatient recover center will be a 10,000 square foot building located at 82102 Highway 59 in Stilwell.

In 2022 Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner and the Council of the Cherokee Nation placed opioid settlement funds from the tribe's pioneering settlements under amendments to the historic Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.

The 2022 amendments to PHWFA established the Behavioral Health Capital Fund, earmarking most of the tribe's opioid settlement funds for capital projects relating to behavioral health and drug addiction treatment.

The act was amended several times to bring forward additional opioid settlement dollars into the Behavioral Health Capital Fund in 2023 and 2026.

The PHWFA also directs millions of opioid settlement dollars annually into health and career services programs to assist those dealing with addiction recover in innovative ways.

In 2017, Cherokee Nation became the first tribal nation in history to pursue the opioid industry, securing key settlement agreements. The litigation was led by the Cherokee Nation Office of Attorney General.

"Substance use disorder impacts so many more people than just the person suffering from it," Deputy Chief Warner said. "The building of this recovery center will be a representation of hope for those struggling with substance use disorder and will provide them the chance to rebuild their lives towards a healthier and brighter future."

Since the inception of the Behavioral Health Capital Fund, the Hoskin / Warner administration has begun construction on an in-patient addiction treatment center in Tahlequah, as well as outpatient recovery centers in Tahlequah and Vinita.

Those projects are scheduled to be completed in 2027.

"I'm incredibly proud to see this $10 million investment coming to Stilwell, where substance use disorder has impacted far too many families in our community," said Councilor Josh Sam of Stilwell. "This is more than a new treatment facility. It's an opportunity to restore hope, rebuild families, and change lives for generations to come. I'm thankful for the leadership of Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner, along with the unanimous support of my fellow Council members. While this is a tremendous victory for Adair County, our work must continue until Cherokee families throughout our entire reservation have access to the treatment and recovery resources they deserve."

The bid solicitation for the construction of the Stilwell recovery center is open until Dec. 1 and can be found on the tribe's CherokeeBids.org website.