Pride and Equality are the Cherokee Way

Osiyo,

Each June, communities across the country observe Pride Month - a time to celebrate the contributions, resilience and dignity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. For the Cherokee Nation, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm a principle that has guided our tribe, government and people for generations: every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

This year, we marked Pride Month by expanding the Cherokee Nation's Executive Order on Equality and by creating a new position dedicated to advancing that work throughout our government and workforce. These actions are not symbolic gestures. They are part of our continuing commitment to ensure that the promise of equal protection under Cherokee law is meaningful for all Cherokee people.

Our Constitution guarantees equal protection, and citizens should be treated equally under the laws. Those words carry responsibility. They require us to examine whether barriers still exist and whether some citizens of our tribe continue to face discrimination, exclusion or unequal treatment. When we find those barriers, we have an obligation to remove them.

One important step forward is the creation of our new Cherokee Nation Equality Advocate. Maggie Glory, a young member of our Government Relations staff, will serve in this role. She will help strengthen inclusion within our workforce, support employee engagement and ensure that equality remains an active priority rather than a passive aspiration.

Real progress begins with people, and it begins within our own institutions.

Cherokee Nation's workforce includes thousands of employees from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Every employee deserves to know they are valued, respected and able to bring their full selves to work. When people feel seen and supported, our government is stronger, our services improve and our communities benefit.

At a time when many marginalized communities continue to face hostility and misunderstanding, it is important for leaders to speak clearly. Too often, fear and division are used for political gain. But the Cherokee people know that our greatest strength has always come from unity, compassion and our willingness to care for one another.

The Cherokee value of Gadugi teaches us that we are strongest when we work together and lift one another up. That principle applies whether we are building new homes, perpetuating the Cherokees language, improving healthcare access, increasing academic opportunities or ensuring fairness and equality for all citizens.

Pride Month reminds us that progress is not guaranteed. It requires action, courage and commitment. The executive order we signed is only the beginning. The true measure of success is found in the work we do every day to create a Cherokee Nation where every person knows they belong, every voice is valued, and every citizen is treated equally under the law.

That is the Cherokee way, and it is a future worth building together.

Wado,

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Principal Chief