Cherokee Nation signs lease agreement with Old Saline Cherokee Association

SALINA, Okla. - On Tuesday, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and other Cherokee Nation leaders joined the tribe's Community and Cultural Outreach department in Salina to sign a lease agreement with representatives of the CCO group, the Old Saline Cherokee Association and the city of Salina.

"This lease signing is so much more than just signing a lease. This means organizations like the Old Saline Cherokee Association and the city of Salina will have a place for their efforts and aspirations to grow. This building will truly be a community hub not only for Cherokee citizens, but all citizens in surrounding areas. We are proud of this partnership and thrilled to see the positive outcomes in the future," Chief Hoskin said.

Last year, the tribe celebrated the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art $85 million Amo Health Center close to the original health center facility. While the tribe has worked on plans for the original Amo Health Center building located at 900 N. Owen Walters Blvd., it has been vacant. A portion of the building will be utilized by the CCO organization, while another portion will be used by the city of Salina.

"We know that Salina sits within the heart of the Cherokee Nation, this space has served the community well for decades and this building still has life in it," said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. "Bringing together services and our culture in one area is a reflection of who we are. As Cherokees, we've always worked with our friends and shared in the spirit of Gadugi."

OSCA is one of 89 CCO groups partnered with the tribe, within the reservation and at-large across the Unites Sates. OSCA President Deena Standingwater-Hill signed the lease agreement on behalf of the organization. OSCA will operate in the facility over the next decade with a minimal cost.

"We will have many more opportunities to gather and explore our culture as Cherokees," said Standingwater-Hill. "This is a huge help to continue our efforts in helping Cherokees in our community. A place to gather is so important to come together for our elders and youth."

The lease agreement also allows for the city of Salina to use a portion of the 29,000 square-foot facility to house offices for city employees. Mayor Randall Plumlee praised the tribe for its continued cooperation with the community.

"We're moving all of the city services into the building including the town hall, utilities, public works and eventually a library and police department on this campus," said Plumlee. "The cost of business proves that a small town like this could never afford a great facility like this. Cherokee Nation has been an incredible partner, and we will continue to grow together."

District 9 Councilor Clifton Hughes and District 15 Councilor Danny Callison represented the Council of the Cherokee Nation during the lease signing ceremony.

"It's always a great day whenever we can partner with our friends in the city of Salina," said Hughes. "We can stretch our investments further whenever we work together. Everyone on the Council in this surrounding area wants to see this community grow and more people organize."

The former Amo Health Center was located in District 9 before redistricting in 2026. The facility currently lies within District 15.

"The Old Saline Community Association has done so much for the community, even without a formal gathering space, this building gives them a place to call home," said Callison.

During the signing ceremony, Chief Hoskin announced that the tribe will bring its Elder Nutrition Program to the city of Salina later this year and will house in the old Amo Health Center building as well. Currently, over a dozen elder nutrition sites are operated by the tribe.

Since 2019, under the Hoskin administration's Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, Cherokee Nation has constructed 10 new community buildings, expanded or remodeled more than 20 others and has ongoing plans for more community center construction across the reservation.

Partnerships with more nonprofit organizations are made possible through the Hoskin/Warner administration's guidance to increase the operating budget of CCO from $2.7 million to a proposed 2027 budget of over $10 million to aid community organizing efforts.

Learn more about Cherokee Nation's Community and Cultural Outreach by visiting https://www.facebook.com/CNCCO/. At-large citizens can find a list of Cherokee community groups across the county by visiting https://cherokeesatlarge.org.