{"id":184115,"date":"2025-08-04T00:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=184115"},"modified":"2025-08-04T10:45:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T15:45:31","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-writes-new-chapter-in-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/08\/04\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-writes-new-chapter-in-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation writes new chapter in education"},"content":{"rendered":" <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/08\/04\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-writes-new-chapter-in-education\/chuckhoskin-49\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-184149\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" data-attachment-id=\"184149\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/08\/04\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-writes-new-chapter-in-education\/chuckhoskin-49\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1440,960\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Raymond Walsh Cherokee Nation&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;07-29-2025 \\r\\rCherokee Nation leaders gathered with NSU officials to celebrate the opening of NSUOCO.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr.\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Chuck Hoskin Jr.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation celebrates the opening of the new Northeastern State University College of Optometry facility in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on July 29, 2025. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02cPE4SNuJSWgCvZDqrrgwamdQgt1h9o8tCBezzDMtGVJGPAJQTVrToaDT1i6bdR43l&gt;Cherokee Nation&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr.\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-184149\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation celebrates the opening of the new Northeastern State University College of Optometry facility in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on July 29, 2025. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02cPE4SNuJSWgCvZDqrrgwamdQgt1h9o8tCBezzDMtGVJGPAJQTVrToaDT1i6bdR43l>Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">A Historic Partnership That Strengthens Our Future<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, August 4, 2025<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Cherokee Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-links\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/\">cherokee.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nFor generations, the Cherokee Nation has prioritized education and worked to build partnerships that uplift our people and create a better future for Cherokee families and the communities we call home. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\nOne of the most enduring and important of those partnerships is with Northeastern State University. Together, our two entities, both based in Tahlequah in northeast Oklahoma, are writing a new chapter of shared progress.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThe relationship between Cherokee Nation and NSU is more than symbolic: It is historic. Today\u2019s modern NSU campus is on the site of Cherokee Nation\u2019s female seminary, which was built in 1851 after our tribe\u2019s forced removal to Indian Territory.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nWe have developed the blueprint for how a tribal government and a higher education institution can collaborate to improve access and opportunities for Cherokees, other Native students and communities within our 7,000-square-mile reservation. From creating a pathway for high school students to step seamlessly into college to investing in cutting-edge health care education, our combined efforts are preparing a new generation of leaders and professionals across many disciplines.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_anadisgoi-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-nsu-partner-to-create-direct-admission-program-for-sequoyah-high-school-students\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/19\/nsumou.jpg\" alt=\"Cherokee Nation, NSU partner to create direct admission program for Sequoyah High School students\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-nsu-partner-to-create-direct-admission-program-for-sequoyah-high-school-students\">\n\t\t\tCherokee Nation, NSU partner to create direct admission program for Sequoyah High School students\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-nsu-partner-to-create-direct-admission-program-for-sequoyah-high-school-students\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Anadisgoi\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tAnadisgoi\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nRecently, we celebrated the launch of <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-nsu-partner-to-create-direct-admission-program-for-sequoyah-high-school-students\">a direct admission program to NSU for students at Sequoyah High School<\/a>. Signed as an MOU with school leaders, this endeavor honors our commitment to higher education and removes some of the common barriers Native students face when they transition from high school to a university setting.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nFor many Cherokee youth, especially those who may not yet see a clear path forward to college or have access to quality mentorship and guidance, this program offers opportunity and a real sense of belonging. It says to them: College is not just a possibility, it\u2019s part of your future, and we are here to help you get there.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nWe also improved access to academic resources and services for our citizens. A separate NSU agreement guarantees that Cherokee Nation citizens can access cultural and academic support services designed specifically for their success at NSU, whether they are entering as freshmen or returning to complete their degrees later in life.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThat same forward-looking vision is reflected in the tribe\u2019s investment in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02cPE4SNuJSWgCvZDqrrgwamdQgt1h9o8tCBezzDMtGVJGPAJQTVrToaDT1i6bdR43l\">the new Oklahoma College of Optometry facility<\/a> on the NSU campus. As the only optometry program in the country that places such an emphasis on serving tribal communities, it is the national model for how higher education and tribal health care systems can work hand in hand. Cherokee Nation\u2019s support is vital for the facility that will train eye care professionals who will go on to serve Cherokees and our neighbors in rural Oklahoma.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheCherokeeNation%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02c2v3r6MpocMkA1KkPmMdBfBVnaSdnjzaB5LWACYZkVtYQD8k4H7PWPTbGaKXDoMHl&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"847\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nEach one of the efforts is substantial and meaningful in their own right. Collectively, they represent a larger strategy to ensure Cherokees have the tools they need to succeed. When we invest in NSU and in the students who pass through its halls, we invest in the health, knowledge and leadership of our Nation.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nCherokee Nation and NSU share more than geography, we share a commitment to personal and community development. Acting as true partners, we can build a new legacy as we prepare our Cherokee youth for lives of purpose.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<HR><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/23\/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" class=\"rounded-circle\" \/><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-9\"><EM><A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\">Chuck Hoskin Jr.<\/A> \r\nis the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian \r\ntribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the \r\nCherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from \r\n1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe\u2019s \r\nSecretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the \r\nCherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.<\/EM><\/div><\/div><HR>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For generations, the Cherokee Nation has prioritized education and worked to build partnerships that uplift our people and create a better future.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,19,9],"tags":[77,76,127,102],"class_list":["post-184115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-health","category-opinion","tag-cherokee","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-oklahoma","tag-youth","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-LTB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184115"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":184152,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184115\/revisions\/184152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}