TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr, and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner proposed a “Cherokee Nation 21st Century Childcare Initiative” on Thursday, calling for $50 million in childcare center construction and millions of dollars annually in new and expanded support programs.
“The high cost and scarcity of childcare means Cherokee moms and dads often face steep barriers to enter the workforce,” said Chief Hoskin. “Our ‘21st Century Childcare Initiative’ builds on the great progress we have made since 2019 to knock down those barriers.”
Cherokee Nation has made massive expansions to its childcare and early childhood education programs under the Hoskin/Warner Administration since 2019.
Previous initiatives include new Child Development Centers in Pryor, Sallisaw and Catoosa and the replacement of all the tribes’ Head Start facilities across seven communities.
Chief Hoskin proposed new childcare initiatives in his 2026 State of the Nation Address last month.
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner’s “Cherokee Nation 21st Century Childcare Initiative” includes:
- $20 million new Child Development Center in Tahlequah at the tribe’s main health campus.
- $10 million remodel and expansion of the tribe’s existing Child Development Center in Tahlequah near the tribal complex.
- $20 million new Child Development Center in Vinita near the tribe’s Vinita Health Center.
- $3.5 million annually for increased childcare subsidies.
- $1.25 million annually in childcare start up and expansion grants for Cherokee Nation citizen entrepreneurs.
- $4.1 million annually to expanded hours of operations at the tribe’s CDCs and Head Start facilities.
“We have seen the difference that quality childcare makes, both economically and in terms of the wellbeing of children,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “Our team’s fiscal discipline and thoughtful planning means we can keep expanding childcare for the Cherokee people in the years to come.”
Earlier this year Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner tasked the tribe’s Secretary of State Shella Bowlin and Human Services leadership with identifying opportunities to improve access to childcare.
The work group issued the tribe’s “Human Services Child Care & Development Programmatic Report” on August 31, which looked at childcare related data and identified Vinita and Tahlequah as among the priorities for future childcare expansion. The report made various other recommendations embraced by the Hoskin/Warner plan.
At his State of the Nation Address, Chief Hoskin credited District 15 councilman Danny Callison for advocating for Head Start hours expansion, also an element of the new 21st Century Childcare Initiative.
“The Council has strongly supported childcare expansion, in budgets, in policies and in oversight,” said Council Speaker Johnny Jack Kidwell. “We look forward to reviewing and discussing these new planned initiatives.”
A resolution supporting the Cherokee Nation 21st Century Childcare Initiative will be heard by Council committees in October. If approved by the committees, Chief Hoskin plans to send the measure to a special Council meeting on October 29.
“Expanding childcare is important for all Cherokees,” said Councilor Kendra McGeady of Vinita. “The new child development centers in Tahlequah and Vinita will help close clear gaps in childcare services.”
For more information on Cherokee Nation’s childcare services, call 918-453-5300 or visit https://childcare.cherokee.gov