Guest Opinion. The Cherokee Nation is large and growing, with more than 460,000 citizens, making us the largest tribe in America. The hundreds of thousands of Cherokees of all ages deserve world-class facilities that serve our health, education, safety, and community life and culture. That’s why we’ve made the largest single capital investment in our history, with nearly $1.2 billion allocated to more than 60 construction projects.
These investments reach every corner of the 7,000-square-mile Cherokee Nation Reservation in northeastern Oklahoma. Projects range from community centers to healthcare facilities and from Head Start centers to an expanded headquarters complex. Altogether, they exemplify Deputy Chief Bryan Warner’s dedication and my dedication to building a stronger, more accessible Cherokee Nation.
I am especially proud of our investments in rural communities across the reservation. Places like Marble City and Kenwood have often been forgotten, but they are essential centers where the Cherokee language flourishes and so many families live by core Cherokee values.
It’s not just about infrastructure; it’s about providing our citizens with the means to thrive in their hometowns. State of the art Head Start Facilities in Kenwoodwith heated floors for younger students, while Edna Holland Wellbeing Center in Stilwell With its covered walking trail, we are creating spaces that promote a sense of belonging and pride.