Osiyo,
Modern Cherokee history celebrates several key moments, including adoption of Sequoyah’s syllabary in 1821, ratification of the Cherokee Nation’s Constitution in 1839, and construction of the Cheroke Nation Supreme Court in 1844.
A historical deep dive into these singular moments often reveals a confluence of smaller efforts, decisions or events that each contributed to making the achievement even possible. In fact, the syllabary itself made our written Constitution possible, which then was the foundation for our Supreme Court.
Today, Cherokees are working toward a singular moment in health and wellness. We currently operate the largest health system in Indian Country with 11 health facilities across our reservation. We administer more than 3 million patient services annually, and our Cherokee Nation Health Services represents the largest single portion of the tribe’s operating budget, as well as the Cherokee Nation’s largest department by employees.
It is already a historic undertaking with decades of progress and recent major milestones, including the Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Fund Act of 2021 that earmarks 10% of third-party revenue toward health and wellness initiatives.
But the peak has not yet been reached. The summit, our ultimate objective, is the best possible healthcare for each patient and a generationally healthy Cherokee Nation.
To that end, we are in an all-government approach to best invest in the healthcare workforce.
Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and I have a good team that is proud to collaborate with the Council of the Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Nation Businesses and the Cherokee Nation Foundation to invest in the health of Cherokee families and future healthcare workers.
We recently gathered at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah, next to the soon-to-open W.W. Hastings Hospital, to dedicate additional funding for new healthcare training and scholarships.
With this new $1 million Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Merit Scholarship, students pursuing college degrees in health fields — including health services, public health and behavioral health — and who want to come and work for the tribe after graduating, have a chance to earn scholarships to help with tuition, books and fees.
And one of the best parts: There is no residency restriction for the scholarship. We want to lift up and support Cherokee Nation citizens who are our future healthcare workers regardless of their location and where they’re going to school.
Another $1 million in scholarships will also help students enrolled in short-term career training programs focused in healthcare. We will announce more about this scholarship program soon.
We also extended the deadline for all Cherokee Nation scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year to June 30. Cherokee Nation Education Services, Career Services and the Cherokee Nation Foundation all have healthcare opportunities and more to explore. Each also has dedicated staff to help Cherokees navigate their programs.
Cherokee Nation is building a stronger health care workforce through strategic partnerships. Earlier this year, we authorized over $30 million to transform the former W.W. Hastings Hospital into the Cherokee Nation Nursing and Allied Health Education Center, which will serve as home to a satellite campus of the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing. It’s a strategic partnership designed to expand nursing education opportunities in Cherokee Nation. The tribe established a $5.15 million scholarship endowment and committed $2 million annually for health profession scholarships, youth career exploration, and non-degree workforce training.
Our growing health system also includes the new W.W. Hastings Hospital replacement and the future Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center. Both are massive capital investments that increase the demand for quality healthcare workers on our reservation. Now is the time for young Cherokees or adults willing to upskill and pursue a lucrative career path to choose health.
Healthcare is an opportunity — not only to improve the lives of Cherokee families, but also to train and employee citizens. We want to maximize opportunities for Cherokee people to help Cherokee people.
We, as a people, know there is no higher goal than a nation where Cherokees invest in each other and live healthy, culturally rich lives. Healthcare investments into access, workforce and education all contribute to that highest achievement.
Wado,
Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Principal Chief
