{"id":547394,"date":"2026-05-25T00:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T05:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=547394"},"modified":"2026-05-26T10:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T15:56:23","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-promotes-compassion-and-responsibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/05\/25\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-promotes-compassion-and-responsibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation promotes compassion and responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":" <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/05\/25\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-supports-compassion-and-responsibility\/cherokeenationexpungementexpo\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-547403\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" data-attachment-id=\"547403\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/05\/25\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-promotes-compassion-and-responsibility\/cherokeenationexpungementexpo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/26\/CherokeeNationExpungementExpo.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1365\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&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;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Cherokee Nation Expungement Expo\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Cherokee Nation Expungement Expo&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., participates in the inaugural Expungement Expo, held in partnership with  Oklahoma Indian Legal Services in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on May 19-20, 2026. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02MSNjDwSq9erKJuC56czGJtJRL4G7zS837iQhLfPPdRfjMqXg2QX9FarSvv2BVAySl&gt;Cherokee Nation&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/26\/CherokeeNationExpungementExpo.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/26\/CherokeeNationExpungementExpo.jpg\" alt=\"Cherokee Nation Expungement Expo\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-547403\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"> Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., participates in the inaugural Expungement Expo, held in partnership with  Oklahoma Indian Legal Services in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on May 19-20, 2026. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02MSNjDwSq9erKJuC56czGJtJRL4G7zS837iQhLfPPdRfjMqXg2QX9FarSvv2BVAySl>Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">Restoring Opportunity Through Reentry Support<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, May 25, 2026<\/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\n For too many people across the country, a criminal record becomes a life sentence long after a court-imposed sentence ends. Even after incarceration and penalties have been paid, the barriers to housing, employment, and education remain. Families suffer from the lack of stability, and communities lose productive citizens. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n At the Cherokee Nation, we believe true justice must include an opportunity for redemption and a clean start on the other side of accountability. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n That is why we recently hosted the inaugural <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-to-host-expungement-expo-chief-hoskin-calls-for-reform\">Expungement Expo<\/a> to help eligible Cherokees and other tribal citizens clear qualifying records and reconnect with opportunities often denied to those with legal convictions. By collaborating with our partners at <a href=\"https:\/\/oilsonline.org\/\">Oklahoma Indian Legal Services<\/a>, we assisted about 220 individuals in exploring the right steps and beginning the expungement process; and we plan to host additional events in the future. We are especially grateful for the OILS legal staff and their commitment to expanding access to justice for Native people. <P><\/P>\r\n \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-sign-legislation-to-set-aside-opioid-settlement-funds-for-reentry-transitional-housing\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/10\/phwfasigningreentryprogram-14.jpg\" alt=\"Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner sign legislation to set aside opioid settlement funds for reentry transitional housing\">\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-sign-legislation-to-set-aside-opioid-settlement-funds-for-reentry-transitional-housing\">\n\t\t\tChief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner sign legislation to set aside opioid settlement funds for reentry transitional housing\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-sign-legislation-to-set-aside-opioid-settlement-funds-for-reentry-transitional-housing\">\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\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n This effort is not about excusing criminal behavior. It is about recognizing that people who have paid their debt to society should have a fair chance to start over, rebuild their life and contribute positively to their family and community. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n The Cherokee people understand something deeply important: no one succeeds alone, and no one heals alone. Our core Cherokee value calls on us to lift up those striving to find stability and purpose again. The Expungement Expo is one new tool in a holistic pursuit of true justice. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n Over the last several years, the Cherokee Nation has continued to invest in and expand reentry efforts in a meaningful and strategic way. Our<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/all-services\/career-services\/coming-home-reentry-justice-involved-programs\/\">Coming Home Reentry Program<\/a> helps Cherokee citizens returning from incarceration overcome barriers to employment and reintegration. Services can include behavioral health support, job training, housing assistance, counseling, identification assistance and other individualized support. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n These efforts acknowledge that successful reentry is tied directly to stronger public safety outcomes. Stable housing, employment and treatment reduce the likelihood that individuals will return to prison. <P><\/P>\r\n \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-announces-plans-for-treatment-court-during-mental-health-awareness\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/10\/mentalhealthawarenessmonth-14.jpe\" alt=\"Cherokee Nation announces plans for treatment court during Mental Health Awareness \">\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-announces-plans-for-treatment-court-during-mental-health-awareness\">\n\t\t\tCherokee Nation announces plans for treatment court during Mental Health Awareness \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-announces-plans-for-treatment-court-during-mental-health-awareness\">\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\n That is why with the support of Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, along with the Council of the Cherokee Nation, we recently committed a portion of opioid settlement funding to be used for <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-sign-legislation-to-set-aside-opioid-settlement-funds-for-reentry-transitional-housing\">transitional housing<\/a> for formerly incarcerated Cherokee citizens and for the expansion of our reentry services. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n We know many affected individuals also struggle with substance use disorder, trauma and mental health challenges. Addressing those realities is essential. Cherokee Nation has invested heavily in behavioral health infrastructure, including culturally informed treatment facilities. Those investments leverage additional funding through the tribe\u2019s opioid settlement dollars. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n We also see the value of alternatives to incarceration through <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-announces-plans-for-treatment-court-during-mental-health-awareness\">treatment courts<\/a> and diversion efforts that focus on rehabilitation and recovery instead of simply cycling people through the justice system. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n Still, there is more work to do. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheCherokeeNation%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02MSNjDwSq9erKJuC56czGJtJRL4G7zS837iQhLfPPdRfjMqXg2QX9FarSvv2BVAySl&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"809\" 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\n I believe the Cherokee Nation should <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-to-host-expungement-expo-chief-hoskin-calls-for-reform\">reform our own tribal codes<\/a> to allow for statutory expungement opportunities in appropriate cases. Individuals who clearly meet the standard, demonstrate their rehabilitation and remain law-abiding should have a path toward clearing qualifying tribal records. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n These reforms must be thoughtful and balanced. Violent crimes that threaten public safety deserve extra scrutiny, and victims must always remain central in our justice system. But for many nonviolent offenses, especially those tied to addiction or youthful mistakes, permanent barriers have diminishing value to true justice over time. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n The Cherokee Nation has invested more than $300 million into strengthening our justice and public safety systems since the <em>McGirt<\/em> case. We have expanded our courts, marshals and victim services while proving every day that a tribal government can operate one of the state\u2019s most sophisticated justice systems, one that is grounded in tribal sovereignty. <P><\/P>\r\n \r\n Now we must continue building avenues for personal success that also reflect Cherokee values of compassion and responsibility. Our goal should not simply be to punish the guilty, but also to create the opportunity for people to reclaim their lives after their debt is paid. <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":"At the Cherokee Nation, we believe true justice must include an opportunity for redemption and a clean start on the other side of accountability.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":547403,"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":[13,9],"tags":[1961,77,76,101,127,106],"class_list":["post-547394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-law","category-opinion","tag-bryan-warner","tag-cherokee","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-crime","tag-oklahoma","tag-tribal-courts","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/26\/CherokeeNationExpungementExpo.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-2ioW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547394","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=547394"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":547410,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547394\/revisions\/547410"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/547403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=547394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=547394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=547394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}