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(L-R)David Scott addresses the audience at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting after being presented with the Ga Du Gi Award by Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Hastings Shade.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation honored an Adair County man with the nation’s highest honor during the Tribal Council meeting Monday night.

David Scott, from Mankiller Flats, was nominated for the Ga Du Gi Award by Deputy Chief Hastings Shade.

“David has a radio show every Sunday morning, speaking Cherokee,” Shade said. “He has done a lot to preserve our language.”

Scott had to take a break from another of his volunteer duties, videotaping the Council meeting, to accept the award.

“I feel there are a lot of people out there who deserve this award more than me,” Scott said. “Still, it’s an honor.”

The Ga Du Gi award recognizes Cherokee citizens who put the Cherokee people first by engaging in an act or actions, which protect, preserve, and promote the well-being and legacy of the Cherokee people.

In other news, the Council sustained Principal Chief Chad Smith’s veto of a measure that would have changed the structure of Sequoyah High School.

“I see no need to change the way things are going at Sequoyah,” said Tribal Council member John Ketcher, who voted to sustain the veto. “It’s a top school now and we don’t need to change it.”

The Council also approved the nomination of Mike Doublehead to the Board of Directors of Cherokee Nation Industries and passed a resolution authorizing the Cherokee Nation’s department of Children, Youth and Family Services to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In other action, the Council approved three budget modifications and amended the tax code to raise sales tax paid on goods purchased at stores located on tribal property to 6%.