Cherokee Nation celebrates new rental units, community building remodel in Ochelata

OCHELATA, Okla. - Leaders of the Cherokee Nation recently gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the remodeled Washington County Cherokee Association Community Building and six new Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation rental units in Ochelata.

The state-of-the-art community center is positioned near the Cherokee Nation's Cooweescoowee Health Center and is accompanied by three duplexes that include six two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,000 square-foot rental units.

The site is designed to allow for future growth and develop a community where Cherokees can work, live, and play, all within walking distance.

The renovation of the WCCA building was a Cherokee Nation investment of $520,000, and the new rental units were an investment of $1.6 Million.

"The Council of the Cherokee Nation and Deputy Chief and I, deeply care about advancing the community of Ochelata and making sure it continues to be a place for Cherokee culture, heritage and lifeways," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "We've already constructed an outpatient health center, upgraded our Cherokee community building and now have affordable rental units available because the Cherokee people in Ochelata deserve to have access to health care; they deserve to have a space to gather and keep the culture and traditions alive, and a space that fits their specific needs."

Cherokee Nation and Washington County Cherokee Association (WCCA) leaders gathered to cut the ribbon on the new WCCA Community Building in Ochelata on Oct. 7.

WCCA and other community members have made use of the building for years, holding potlucks, basketweaving classes, and other culturally relevant activities.

The $520,000 renovation project started last year.

The 5,000 square-foot building has had vestibule, rock, ceilings, and walls added. It has a new fully furnished kitchen and commercial equipment, with a serving window built for WCCA's monthly potlucks. The parking lot has new solar lighting. The building has solar panels installed to reduce the carbon footprint, to lower utility costs for the community organization.

"Opportunities abound across the Cherokee Nation, and they abound right here in Ochelata. We are lifting one another up, recognizing where we came from and where we are going. You can see opportunity in these rental units, and this is only the beginning. We are making sure that our culture and history is not only remembered, but that it is felt, and passed on through Gadugi to one another," said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.

The CCO staff is extremely excited to have a new version of the community building, said Savannah Smith, executive director of Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach.

"I know WCCA has meals and events here, so I hope that the new kitchen and serving bar help make those events run more smoothly and all the renovation work help bring the organization everything they needed for future gatherings and Cherokee fellowship," she said.

"The Council of the Cherokee Nation and Administration worked hand and hand on the two projects to bring this community shelter, comfort and security," said Cherokee Nation Councilor Dora Patzkowski.

Three Cherokee Nation Housing Authority duplexes with six rental units near the Washington County Cherokee Association (WCCA) Community Building in Ochelata.

The six HACN rental units are 2-bedroom, 2-bath, each about 1,000 square feet. They're located within three duplexes that have brick and cedar exterior.

"We want to foster the interconnectedness that already exists in Ochelata, and by adding safe, affordable homes with public wellness spaces, health care and a community building we are making real differences," said Todd Enlow, Senior Advisor to Chief Hoskin and Executive Director of Housing Programs.

The rental units reside on Charles Thompson St., a cul-de-sac constructed as part of the overall housing initiative. The street is named after Charles Thompson, or Ochelata, a former, Cherokee Nation Chief from the area. The units are in the process of being rented to Cherokee Nation citizens.

In 2019, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner signed the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act. The tribe has since built or repaired over 4,000 homes under the legislation. In recent years, under the Hoskin-Warner administration, the Cherokee Nation has built, replaced or rehabilitated more than 20 community centers for CCO-participating community organizations.

The sidewalks and a walking trail in the area were funded by the Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.