Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

DAHLONEGAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation honored longtime employee Frank Farrell at a recent Natural Resources Committee meeting in Dahlonegah.

Chief Chad Smith presents Frank Ferrell's award.

Ferrell, director of the Cherokee Nation’s Natural Resources department, has worked to preserve Cherokee Nation trust land since 1966 and has been at the forefront of developing and expanding uses of those lands.

Principal Chief Chad Smith presented Ferrell with a plaque from the Natural Resources Committee and made the following remarks:

"Over the years, the emphasis on tribal land has changed from the BIA operating the lands for us, to the Cherokee Nation taking control of the management of its lands. Uses of tribal land have changed from strictly pasture development, sales of timber and minerals to a wide variety of uses in agriculture, reforestation, soil conservation, wildlife management, industrial development and flood control. The Cherokee Nation has seen a dramatic increase in both the value of its property and its production potential.

"During this time, the Cherokee Nation has also grown and developed from a small organization with no constitution to a large, organized government that is an economic powerhouse in Northeastern Oklahoma. Along the way, the Cherokee Nation took direct control of its Natural Resources program from the BIA, changing from a Conservation Committee and Board of Trustees to a compact agreement with the BIA. Through all these changes, one thing has remained constant in regards to tribal lands: Frank Farrell.

"Through Frank’s leadership, the Nation has seen the development of over 12,000 acres of usable pasture and crop land, over 4,000 acres of improved pine forests, the first approved Tribal Land Consolidation Plan in the United States, and support for countless community projects. Above all, there has been integrity and fairness in tribal land activities. Frank Farrell personifies the term ‘trust responsibility."