Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner, Propose new Sustainability Act ahead of Earth Day

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner are proposing a comprehensive legislative act to encourage energy efficiency and other conservation measures ahead of the tribe's annual Earth Day celebration on April 17.

"The proposed Cherokee Nation Energy and Sustainability Act will challenge our nation to become more energy efficient, use less water and sharpen our focus on natural resource conservation," said Chief Hoskin. "We cannot honor our ancestors or look out for the next seven generations if we do not commit to a more sustainable path."

The new law would put the tribe's Secretary of Natural Resources (SONR) primarily in charge of setting goals and formulating policies for a range of sustainability measures from reducing energy consumption, reducing water usage and increasing recycling across the tribe's government operations and affiliated entities.

The SONR would also serve as the clearinghouse of all major energy and conservation initiatives across Cherokee Nation and its affiliated entities and oversee a new Office of Energy Programs.

"The responsibilities of Natural Resources Department have expanded greatly under the Hoskin/Warner Administration," said Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice. "The new Cherokee Nation Energy and Sustainability Act will help us go even further to achieve more balance in our natural world."

Major provisions of the Cherokee Nation Energy and Sustainability Act include:

• Centralizes energy policies and initiatives through the Secretary of Natural Resources (SONR).

• Establishes an Office of Energy Program under the tribe's SONR.

• Requires the SONR to establish recycling, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation goals through three-year plans beginning in fiscal year 2027.

• Requires a net reduction in energy, water consumption and food waste every three years, beginning in fiscal year 2027.

• Establishes a policy of light pollution reduction.

• Authorizes the "Cherokee Nation Recycles" program.

• Authorizes "Litter Free Cherokee Nation" program.

• Declares energy efficiency, recycling, litter mitigation, light pollution, natural resource conservation and mitigation of the impact of human-caused climate change efforts as public health issues under Cherokee law.

"Cherokees, now and in the future, deserve clean land, air and water, and to be part of a tribe that uses energy more efficiently and secures our use and enjoyment of natural resources for generations to come," said Deputy Chief Warner. "This proposed law will help make that possible.

The proposal is the second major piece of environmental legislative initiatives of the Hoskin/Warner Administration.

In 2021, the tribe enacted the "Cherokee Nation Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act," which protects current and future public lands within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Chief Hoskin has issued several executive orders and other executive actions to protect the environment. Under those actions the tribe has banned or reduced single use plastics by its government and affiliated entities, including Cherokee Nation Businesses. An executive branch task force is also reviewing the impact of data centers on the tribe's reservation.

Chief Hoskin's 2024 executive order established a youth climate change task force and the Clean Energy Task Force. The youth task force issued a report in 2025 and the Clean Energy Task Force will issue its report at the tribe's Earth Day celebration on April 17 in Tahlequah.

A lead sponsor of the legislation, Councilor Dora Smith Patzkowski, said the proposals are in line with the Council's interest in sustainability.

"Our citizens reach out when they feel the environment is negatively impacted and our citizens always encourage us to preserve natural resources for our shared benefit and enjoyment, such as hunting, fishing and gathering of medicinal plants," said Patzkowski. "I think council members will study the proposal carefully, make suggestions and ultimately enact a law that will serve the Cherokee people for generations to come.

The Council of the Cherokee Nation will consider proposed energy legislation in a committee meeting on April 13 and, if approved, will advance the measure to the tribe's Rules committee on April 30.