General Cheorkee Nation: Why are we investing loyalty housing in our justice system

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And Chuck Hoskin Jr.

January 26, 2025

A visitor’s opinion. During the last two centuries, the failed Indian policy led to an injustice over the Cherokee nation. Here in 21^st The century we fought for, won, and we were ready to strengthen our system of justice.

Since the establishment of the country, American has emphasized different levels of regulatory of the Cherokee national resources. In time, Merika became a sponsor of the natural resources of our nation and was responsible for managing them. Merika failed in this role.

In the 1970s, our government was not closed. The Cherokee leaders began to closely examine the generations of abandonment by the United States. The Cherokee Nation began to explore what was not there: accounting for our resources, such as timber, coal and land lease.

In 2016, as the state secretary, I witnessed the confident leadership of my predecessor, the head of Bill John Baker. Chief Baker simply put it: if we believed Merika could not count on our resources in its role as a sponsor, it stood because that Merika could distort those resources. The only way to try this, he said, was to claim accounting and, if the federal government failed or refused, to sue the American.

Our legal action against Merika called for the good minds of our legal and leadership team in the rule of Chief Baker, my administration and the Cherokee National Council. Chief attorneys Todd Hembree, Sara Hill and Chad Harsha carefully formed a case of a historic number, supported by a team of lawyers, staff and researchers.

Chief Baker’s vision, and the work of our entire team, was paid. Last week, in the face our strongest case within Cherokee Nation v. The Interior Department of the MerikaAmerican American bent down and agreed to the historic residence of $ 80 million by the Cherokee Nation. Although these settlements can only resolve one of the many injuries caused by the Cherokee nation in the hands of the American, it stays to rest one important.

The settlement also further revealed the ideas behind India’s federal policy for the country’s great history. American believed his government system was much better than that of the Cherokee nation that it was for our good intentions to put our resources in the hands of the Federal guardian. However, this government that is thought to be “better” could not even monitor these resources.

Handed in hand, we are now facing the question: Is it? How should we invest $ 60 million in total income? This investment must be a lasting benefit to our nation.

Bryan Warner’s deputy chief and I have suggested that we can invest housing in our justice system. During the residence and the current challenges we face are compelling.

After historical McGirt The case to confirm the conservation of the Cherokee nation, we have struggled to take up new opportunities. We face the challenges of expanding our criminal rights system throughout the 7,000 square miles, we have invested millions of dollars in our courts, the Prosecutor’s Office, our Marshal service, and our victim’s protection plans.

For a high risk to public safety and justice for all, we know more resources needed. We need more space for our courts, and we need to expand our court access to conservation.

Our current position of the justice system includes the second floor of our main tribal complex in Tahlequah. Was created for pre –McGirt Era in which our system dealt with a limited number of criminal cases per year. It has never been formed by the daily flow of the defendants, as well as those charged with abuse, frequent entry into the same building that sets out the plans of the elderly and children. The space is too small to meet our increased needs.

Warner’s deputy chief and I submitted a law to the councils to use the loyalty settlement to transfer our courts and AG staff to a sufficient and unstable position in the “National Cherokee Center” that could serve the Cherokee people for generations.

Our proposal costs $ 50 million in residential funds to the law center in Tahlequah. Our plan also earns $ 10 million for the district court center in the external conservation area, the first of several we will need in the coming years to ensure that justice reaches all our citizens.

I am proud that the courageous leadership has gained justice for the Cherokee people and gives us the opportunity to invest in something that goes on the basis of our freedom: the justice system for the Cherokee people.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. He is the head of the Cherokee nation.

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