{"id":225314,"date":"2025-09-15T00:01:49","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=225314"},"modified":"2025-09-15T08:09:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T13:09:53","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-delivers-on-wellness-for-generations-to-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/09\/15\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-delivers-on-wellness-for-generations-to-come\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation delivers on wellness for generations to come"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AWWpvxTfeRE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Cherokee Nation: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/AWWpvxTfeRE>State of the Nation &#8211; 73rd Cherokee National Holiday &#8211; 2025<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">Delivering a Wellness Dividend<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, September 15, 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\nCherokee Nation can deliver a \u201cwellness dividend\u201d to citizens now and for generations to come. We just need to strengthen the <a href=\"https:\/\/cherokee.legistar.com\/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=11627834&amp;GUID=7D7C526D-9255-4123-B21A-FAB402747148\">Public Health and Wellness Fund Act<\/a>.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nIn 2021, we were all in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherokee Nation was leading. We were addressing the immediate health and economic impacts of the pandemic. We also focused on long-term strength. We understood that once the pandemic receded, we needed to build toward a world-class system of not simply health care, but wellness.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nTodd Enlow, my then-chief of staff and my current senior advisor and leader of housing programs, brought Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and me an idea: set aside 7% of third-party health revenue and dedicate it to the broader mission of mental and physical wellness without relying on a penny from the federal government.\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\/chief-hoskin-calls-for-massive-investment-of-tribal-funds-into-health-and-wellness-other-priorities-during-state-of-the-nation-address\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10\/sotn1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Chief Hoskin calls for massive investment of tribal funds into health and wellness, other priorities during State of the Nation address\">\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\/chief-hoskin-calls-for-massive-investment-of-tribal-funds-into-health-and-wellness-other-priorities-during-state-of-the-nation-address\">\n\t\t\tChief Hoskin calls for massive investment of tribal funds into health and wellness, other priorities during State of the Nation address\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\/chief-hoskin-calls-for-massive-investment-of-tribal-funds-into-health-and-wellness-other-priorities-during-state-of-the-nation-address\">\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\nTodd\u2019s idea was more than simple mathematics. It was an opportunity to declare a true wellness policy. We would invest not only the programs and infrastructure we rely on when we get sick, but focus on leading healthier lives in healthier communities. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-signs-new-legislation-providing-millions-of-dollars-each-year-for-substance-abuse-treatment-tribal-wellness-programs\">Todd\u2019s idea became the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act<\/a>.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nPHWFA generates tens of millions of dollars annually \u2014 some spent annually, some held in a reserve surplus. PHWFA funds have made a huge and positive impact.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nThe investments are big and small, but all are important. Examples abound, too numerous to fully catalog here. But odds are you have felt the impact.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nIf you use or simply enjoyed seeing us open <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-celebrates-grand-opening-of-state-of-the-art-mary-l-holland-carson-wellness-center-in-stilwell\">the Carson Wellness Center in Stilwell<\/a> \u2014 a state-of-the art, $21 million hub for exercise, nutrition and positive social interaction for Cherokees and non-Cherokees alike \u2014 you can thank PHWFA. Our public health investments in our capital of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-to-build-34m-state-of-the-art-wellness-center-in-tahlequah\">Tahlequah<\/a><u>,<\/u> as well as communities like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-celebrates-grand-opening-of-new-woody-hair-community-center-in-kenwood\">Kenwood<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-celebrates-grand-opening-of-new-amo-health-center-in-salina\">Salina<\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-celebrates-grand-opening-of-new-marble-city-community-center\">Marble City<\/a>, funded in part by PHWFA, mean safer places for kids, elders and families to gather, learn about healthy lifestyle choices, exercise and play. We need more of that.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nIf you or a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol dependency, PHWFA helps fuel the expansion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-breaks-ground-on-state-of-the-art-addiction-treatment-center-near-tahlequah\">behavioral health and recovery programs<\/a> that save lives. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/with-new-addiction-center-cherokee-nation-brings-justice-for-victims-of-the-opioid-epidemic\">PHWFA even locked down opioid settlement funds<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-unveils-first-in-house-drug-treatment-center-as-part-of-largest-mental-health-investment-in-tribes-history\">do even more<\/a> to address these issues.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nIf you have seen more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-cuts-ribbon-for-new-walking-trail-in-muskogee\">walking trails<\/a> at Cherokee Nation facilities, odds are PHWFA made those possible. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-city-of-tahlequah-announce-major-sidewalk-project-to-improve-pedestrian-accessibility-west-of-town\">PHWFA is funding a much-needed public sidewalk project<\/a>connecting miles of Tahlequah to our Capitol complex.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_www-anadisgoi-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-warner-announces-2-15m-in-grants-for-health-wellness\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10\/487a7664-1.jpg\" alt=\"Chief Hoskin, Deputy Warner announces $2.15M in grants for health, wellness\">\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:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-warner-announces-2-15m-in-grants-for-health-wellness\">\n\t\t\tChief Hoskin, Deputy Warner announces $2.15M in grants for health, wellness\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-warner-announces-2-15m-in-grants-for-health-wellness\">\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:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Anadisgoi\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tAnadisgoi\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-warner-announces-2-15m-in-grants-for-health-wellness\">PHWFA empowers our Community and Cultural Outreach-participating community organizations<\/a>, including at-large organizations, with $25,000 wellness grants. We recently issued grants totaling $1.8 million in Wellness Partners grants to schools, local governments and nonprofits for capital projects. These two grant programs will continue annually.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nPHWFA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-to-provide-cherokee-elders-with-farmers-market-funds\">helps elders buy food at farmers markets<\/a>, helps Cherokee households sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-announce-fitness-partner-program-for-non-profit-gym-memberships\">discounted family plans at local nonprofit gyms<\/a>, and built water lines for Cherokees in need.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nWith tens of millions of dollars at our disposal in the PHWFA surplus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/our-housing-challenge-is-a-public-health-challenge\">we are making a concerted effort to reach the most underserved parts of our reservation<\/a> and plan with those communities on how their best days can be head of them, not behind them. Places like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/v\/1A3ox2St1M\/?mibextid=wwXIfr\">Sally Bull Hollow<\/a> deserve it.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nIn these communities, which have seen little or no public investments in generations, we can build playgrounds, community buildings and affordable housing, and improve public safety using PHWFA funds. We can take inspiration from our success in Kenwood and Marble City, where gyms, playgrounds and exercise spaces have brought a new sense of optimism and hope, along with new jobs.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nThere is a good chance you or someone you know \u201cpaid\u201d into the PHWFA fund. Each time a patient uses our health system and has public or private health insurance, we bill it. By earmarking seven cents of every dollar of those funds for PHWFA programs and projects, we build toward a more comprehensive system of wellness without relying on a single penny from the federal government. (The rest of the third-party health revenue is used to build and operate our expanding network of health facilities.)\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\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-public-health-and-wellness-fund-boost\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10\/publichealth-1.jpg\" alt=\"Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner propose Public Health and Wellness Fund boost\">\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\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-public-health-and-wellness-fund-boost\">\n\t\t\tChief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner propose Public Health and Wellness Fund boost\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\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-public-health-and-wellness-fund-boost\">\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\nIn my recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/AWWpvxTfeRE?si=_oaKiskeyz9WnSk0\">State of the Nation address<\/a>, I urged us to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-calls-for-massive-investment-of-tribal-funds-into-health-and-wellness-other-priorities-during-state-of-the-nation-address?highlight=WyJwaHdmYSJd\">go further<\/a>. Deputy Chief Warner and I are proposing amendments to PHWFA to do just that.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cherokee.legistar.com\/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7646147&amp;GUID=E506AE98-EC37-4976-B0B8-52E918D0D47A&amp;Options=ID%7CText%7C&amp;Search=Wellness\">Our proposal<\/a> calls for increasing the PHWFA earmark of third-party health revenue from 7% to 10%. It expands and clarifies eligibility of programs, services, capital projects and grants. It creates a special $1.7 million annual fund for members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation to direct toward wellness capital projects in their districts. It puts requirements on me (and my successors) for more planning and transparency.\r\n<P><\/P> \r\nPHWFA has served our nation well. This month, the Council will consider <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-public-health-and-wellness-fund-boost\">our proposed legislation to make the law stronger<\/a>. It makes a pool of tens of millions of dollars available annually. If approved, we will not really \u201cspend\u201d a penny. We will invest all of it and realize a wellness dividend for generations to come.\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>\r\n<img src=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/15\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg width=0 height=0 class=invisible>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cherokee Nation can deliver a \u201cwellness dividend\u201d to citizens now and for generations to come.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":225347,"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":[19,9],"tags":[1961,77,76,128,40,454,127,6747,153],"class_list":["post-225314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-opinion","tag-bryan-warner","tag-cherokee","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-elders","tag-food","tag-grants","tag-oklahoma","tag-todd-enlow","tag-water","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/15\/chuckhoskin-3.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-WC6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225314","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=225314"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225348,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225314\/revisions\/225348"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}