Chief Hoskin Declares State of Emergency in Vinita to Prevent Pelivan Transit Service Reduction

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Citing the failure of the City of Vinita and Pelivan Transit to reach terms to continue rural transit services, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. declared a state of emergency and directed immediate emergency tribal funding.

"Rural transit is a lifeline for low-income citizens," said Chief Hoskin. "A reduction in Pelivan Services would have immediate negative impacts in the community of Vinita and we must step in to provide at least short-term relief for Cherokees and non-Cherokees alike. As one of the largest employers in Vinita with a countywide economic impact of over $25 million annually, we have an obvious stake in finding a long-term solution for public transit."

Pelivan, a program of Grand Gateway Economic Development Authority, provides rural transit services across seven northeast Oklahoma counties.

Pelivan is funded by a mix of federal, Cherokee Nation and in many cases municipal funding.

Cherokee Nation provides approximately $2 million per year to subsidize rural transit agencies within its reservation, including Pelivan. In return Cherokee Nation citizens receive a heavily subsidized fare for rides.

The City of Vinita and Pelivan have had a continuous partnership dating back to the 1980s, enabling the service to provide subsidized transit services in and around the community.

The City of Vinita's most recent agreement, covering fiscal year 2026, includes $32,000 from the City to Grand Gateway, a reduced amount from previous fiscal years.

Cherokee Nation estimates that the actual value of these services exceeds $330,500 annually.

The City and Pelivan failed to reach terms to continue the agreement for the City's fiscal year 2027, which began July 1, 2026.

Pelivan has absorbed the loss of City funds since July 1, but recently announced that it will be unable to continue taking the loss beginning October 1, 2026.

"We know that Pelivan is committed to serving as many riders as possible," said Cherokee Nation Executive Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Michael Lynn. "But we also understand that Pelivan cannot maintain the same service levels for Vinita if the city is unable or unwilling to continue the partnership."

In Chief Hoskin's September 25 emergency declaration, he noted that the reduction of Pelivan Services will have negative economic and public health impacts on the Vinita community even if Cherokee Nation citizens continue to receive subsidized rides.

"For the purposes of relevant Cherokee Nation law, public health will be negatively impacted by the contraction of rural transit in the City of Vinita," Chief Hoskin wrote in the declaration. "Access to transit is among the social determinants of health. Low-income individuals who experience reduced or eliminated access to transportation services experience reduction or loss of access to medical care, nutrition and safety net services."

Chief Hoskin also noted in the declaration that the City of Vinita gave Cherokee Nation no notice of its intent to end the Pelivan partnership.

Chief Hoskin's emergency declaration relies on the tribe's Emergency Management Act and its Public Health and Wellness Fund Act to direct a $40,000 one-time payment to Grand Gateway to continue full Pelivan transit services for the Vinita community through June 30, 2027.

"I fully support Chief Hoskin's directive to effectively rescue Vinita community members who rely on Pelivan," said District 11 Cherokee Council member Kendra McGeady." Rural transit is a lifeline to so many, particularly low-income individuals. Cherokee Nation's one-time payment will give all stakeholders a year to work on a long-term plan."

Cherokee Nation's payment is subject to the tribe and Grand Gateway executing a memorandum of agreement. Chief Hoskin also directed his Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan to evaluate the future of rural transit in the Pelivan service area and make recommendations on ways to sustain services.

"Cuts to rural transit are ultimately self-defeating," said Cherokee Nation Deputy Secretary of State Duncan. "Every dollar spent on rural transit returns $4 in economic impact, which we estimate equates to a $1.3 million annual impact in Vinita. Rural transit users support local businesses, access to needed services, pay sales taxes to local governments, all while improving their own quality of life. That is why we are committed to finding ways to sustain public transit in Vinita."

Grand Gateway Executive Director Errin Clocker, thanked Cherokee Nation for its offer to step in with funding.

"Without Cherokee Nation's added support, services for Vinita would be immediately reduced October 1," said Clocker. "This support gives us time to work with all stakeholders, including the City of Vinita, on a plan for fiscal year 2028."

In November 2025, Cherokee Nation brought the City of Vinita and Pelivan together in a meeting to resolve a similar impasse over funding, resulting in the city reconsidering its initial decision to end the transit partnership.

Chief Hoskin said funding under the state of emergency declaration will ensure services continue through June 30, 2027, the end of the City's fiscal year 2027.

"Whether Pelivan Services for all community members continues at a level the community has come to rely on after June 30, 2027, will be up to the City of Vinita and Pelivan," said Chief Hoskin.