This time of year is always a time to reflect on the good things in our lives. I hope we all honor the true meaning and spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday and celebrate the multitude of blessings we have, including the achievements we’ve accomplished and the future we hope to build for ourselves, our families and the Cherokee Nation.

I am so thankful and blessed to be the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation during such a monumental chapter in our tribe’s history. I am thankful we have been able to make the lives of Cherokees better, and we are doing that every day through expanded access to quality health care, newly constructed homes for Cherokee families and a renewed focus and funding for job creation and education.

I am thankful the success at Cherokee Nation Businesses is at a record high in 2014, and proud to report we employ more Cherokees citizens than ever before in our history.