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Principal Chief Chad Smith gives State of the Nation Address at the Cherokee National Holiday.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Principal Chief Chad Smith highlighted the recent successes of the Cherokee Nation during his State of the Nation address at the Cherokee National Holiday.

Addressing a crowd of more than 1000 under the trees on Capitol Square, Smith emphasized the changes in the Cherokee Nation over the last two years.

"We have a stronger country, a stronger Cherokee Nation, than we did two years ago", Smith said. "Our Marshal Service enforces the law on Cherokee land, not the U.S. government. Our Tribal Courts are fully staffed and operational. This courthouse, the historic Cherokee Capitol building, is open to the public, as are all financial records and documents of the Cherokee Nation."

Smith cited the cooperative spirit among Cherokee Nation elected officials to serve Cherokee people. He encouraged Cherokees to learn from both children and ancestors and to focus on the future.

For a full text of Principal Chief Chad Smith’s State of the Nation address, go to the Cherokee Nation's web site.