TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — On Tuesday, Aug. 5, Cherokee Nation leaders met to celebrate the grand opening of its flagship Early Childhood Unit/Head Start facility in Tahlequah.
The state-of-the-art flagship Early Childhood Unit/Head Start facility supports 163 children across 17 classrooms. The 75,000 square-foot structure replaces the old Children’s Village Head Start with classrooms that were half a century old. The new center features four gross motor rooms, a commercial kitchen, two storm shelters, staff development space and playground equipment for different age groups.
“It’s a great day in the Cherokee Nation whenever we can celebrate the flagship Head Start facility in the Cherokee Nation,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “Whenever Deputy Chief Warner and I took office, we understood that all of our Head Start facilities needed to be replaced, most of them were over a half century old, living on borrowed time. Too often I see budgets trying to be balanced and reduced without understanding the worthy investment for the next generation.”
The new $40.5 million facility is funded through the historic Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act, which was reauthorized by Chief Hoskin with support from the Council of the Cherokee Nation in 2024. The legislation earmarked $80 million to replace or rehabilitate all of the tribe's Head Start centers across the Cherokee Nation Reservation with new, state-of-the-art facilities.
The groundbreaking for the facility was held in October of 2023.
“We finally have a world-class facility here for our Childhood Unit and Head Start warriors,” said Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. “We will be well served by the generations of Cherokees and community members who utilize this place. Our values tell us that caring for our neighbors’ lack of access to adequate childcare is our problem as well.”
The center is needs-based and although there is Native preference is open to the community. Subsidized costs for sanitary items are included so parents and caretakers receive an important safety net.
While being built into a natural slope, the structure is partially imbedded into the landscape, which allows all classrooms to have direct access to the playgrounds. The half circle drive serves as a drop-off location for caregivers and families.
“As a product of Head Start and the mother of a Head Start child, I have firsthand experience on how vital and transformative this experience is,” said District 1 Councilor Sasha Blackfox-Qualls. “The Cherokee Nation is ensuring that regardless of background that every child has the chance to start off on a strong foundation. Today, we are laying the foundation for the leaders of tomorrow.”
Cherokee culture and traditions are exemplified throughout the architecture with the inclusion of separate wings of classrooms which are color-coded to match the traditional Cherokee clans which include Bird, Wolf and Deer as well as animals significant to oral storytelling.
“Our ancestors fought hard for us to be here, they understood the value of education and built learning institutions right after our forced removal,” said District 2 Councilor Dr. Candessa Tehee. “This building is what sovereignty looks like. I’m proud to work among individuals who put the resources behind our shared values.”
The tribe established its Head Start program in 1978, and now it serves over 900 children across the reservation. Children who attend Head Start are less likely to live in poverty and more likely to finish college.
“I was proud to support the expansion of the Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act back in 2024,” said District 3 Councilor Lisa Robinson Hall. “Thank you to the administration and everyone who had a hand in this project. We are extremely grateful for the years of service that Ms. Thompson has given to the Cherokee Nation.”
Cherokee Nation’s Head Start students range from six weeks old to age 3. They are taught cognitive, language, motor and social skills.
“In my 41 years of service, I’ve been blessed to receive the support from our great Cherokee Nation and its public servants,” said Director of the Early Childhood Unit Verna Thompson. “Head Start stands tall but never alone. We are making a long-lasting positive impact on the community and now we’ve finally found our forever home.”