TAHLEQUAH, OK – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered his eighth and final State of the Nation Address during the 74th annual Cherokee National Holiday, highlighting investments in healthcare, housing and language revitalization, as well as efforts to strengthen Cherokee sovereignty.
Hoskin, who will complete his second consecutive term Aug. 14, 2027, reflected on challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and an aging population of Cherokee Speakers to the expansion of the Nation’s public safety, law enforcement and justice systems following the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision.
“It is my honor and privilege to report to the Cherokee people on the state of our great Nation for the eighth and final time,” said Chief Hoskin. “I can report to you with confidence that the state of our Nation is strong.”
Since 2019, Cherokee Nation has invested more than $1 billion in its healthcare system, expanding access to primary care by 60% and behavioral health services by 350%. Recent projects include the completion of the new W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah and groundbreaking for a new health campus in Claremore.
Language revitalization has also been a major focus. Through the Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act, the Nation has invested $182 million in Cherokee language preservation, created 123 high-level second-language speakers, provided support to more than 1,000 fluent first-language speakers and delivered more than 200,000 hours of language lessons.
“My fellow Cherokees, we are not content to simply save our language,” said Chief Hoskin. “We are on a mission to revitalize our language in our lifetime.”
Hoskin also announced plans to nominate Language Department Executive Director Howard Paden as the Nation’s first Secretary of Language and Culture.
Housing investments since 2019 have resulted in 730 new homes and repairs to 3,885 others through the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, which commits $40 million in tribal funds every three years. The law has also supported construction of 11 community buildings, with three more underway.
Other initiatives highlighted during the address included a new substance use treatment facility scheduled to open later this year, expanded elder nutrition and higher education scholarships, the creation of Gadugi Corps, construction of a new Cherokee Heritage Center and support for entrepreneurs through Opportunity Zones.
For his final year, Hoskin proposed new childcare investments, including Child Development Centers in Tahlequah and Vinita, grants to help Cherokee entrepreneurs open or expand childcare facilities and expanded Head Start hours. He also called for at least $2 million annually to reimburse Cherokee citizens for job-training expenses under the Career Readiness Act.
Hoskin further proposed making the Artist Recovery Act permanent through a new Artist Resiliency Act. The existing program has invested $4 million in Cherokee artists, supported more than 3,800 hours of community art classes and added 601 pieces of Cherokee art to the Nation’s collection.
“This is a season of momentum that cannot be stopped even 343 days from now when we pass the baton,” said Chief Hoskin. “Let us work so that on that final day we can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that our nation is strong, and that the best days of the Cherokee Nation are still ahead of us.”
The address was part of the 74th annual Cherokee National Holiday, which also included a parade through downtown Tahlequah, Cherokee art vendors, traditional games and an intertribal powwow.
