The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma passed the largest budget in its history on Thursday.

The 2007 budget includes $290 million in new funds as well as leftover funds from prior years. That put the budget at around $350 million, the tribe's largest.

The budget includes $2.1 million in bonuses for 2,100 employees. Each employee will get a $1,000.

About 24 percent of the tribe's budget comes from tribal businesses. Just five years ago, only about 11 percent of the budget was funded by the tribe.

Get the Story:
Cherokees pass historic budget (The Tulsa World 9/22)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org