Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation puts sovereignty into action

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Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. provides keynote remarks at the tribe’s Public School Appreciation Day celebration in Catoosa, Oklahoma, on March 24, 2026. Photo: Anadisgoi / Cherokee Nation

Standing with Our Schools, Investing in Our Future

Monday, March 30, 2026

By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Cherokee Nation

cherokee.org

Cherokee Nation is proud to do more than offer words of support for Oklahoma educators: We are delivering action. During this week’s annual Public School Appreciation Day, our tribe distributed $7.26 million to 107 public school districts across northeast Oklahoma.

This financial support, which is generated through our motor vehicle tag compact with the state, comes by setting aside 38% of our car tag revenue directly for education. Since 2002, this commitment has resulted in nearly $107 million being invested into public schools across our reservation and surrounding areas as flexible funding that supports teachers, classrooms and students where they have identified the greatest need.

But this moment is about more than dollars. It is about priorities. At a time when public education faces increasing pressure from external forces, Cherokee Nation is choosing to lean in rather than pull back.

In Oklahoma, roughly 1 in 5 children lives in poverty. For many of those children, public schools are more than places of learning. They are lifelines that provide stability, nutrition, and opportunity. Educators are often asked to help meet basic needs, which is why our commitment extends beyond the classroom.

Cherokee Nation Distributes $7.26M to 107 School Districts on Public School Appreciation Day

Anadisgoi

Cherokee Nation will once again help administer the Summer EBT program this year. It will ensure growing children have access to food when school is out. We anticipate serving 45,000 students, delivering $5.4 million in federal food assistance backed by a $1.6 million tribal investment. For families, that means $120 per child to help put food on the table.

This is what sovereignty in action looks like — using our resources to meet real needs for our citizens and our neighbors.

At the same time, we must be honest about the broader policy landscape. State-level policy decisions have enormous consequences for our public education institutions. The Cherokee Nation cannot — and should not — replace the state’s responsibility to fund public education fully. However, we will continue to demonstrate what is possible when leadership prioritizes people.

This dedication is rooted in our Cherokee value of Gadugi: working together for the common good. From Sequoyah’s development of the Cherokee syllabary to today’s classrooms, education has always been central to who we are as Cherokee people.

Public education remains one of the most important pillars of strong communities. Cherokee Nation will continue to invest in schools, invest in teachers, families, and the future workforce of our region. Most importantly, we invest in hope. Cherokee Nation will continue to stand with our public schools in northeast Oklahoma because we know that when our schools succeed, our communities succeed.

Chuck Hoskin Jr. is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from 1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.