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News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council unanimously selected Ralph Keen II to fill the seat vacated by the untimely death of Harold “Jiggs” Phillips, then Keen joined the rest of the Council unanimously setting aside $4 million from tribal gaming revenues to build a new multi-purpose gym at Sequoyah High School.
Cherokee Nation Chief Justice Darrell Matlock (back to camera) swears in Ralph Keen II as a Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member during Monday night’s meeting, as Keen’s wife, Teresa, looks on. 
“I am pleased that the Council has agreed to fund a project that we have been working on for more than three years,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
“We’re glad that we are getting these dividends (from gaming operations) so we can help our kids at Sequoyah,” said Barbara Starr-Scott, a Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member.
“As a former teacher at Sequoyah, I try to make it to all the games,” said Council member Don Garvin. “It’s just a shame that we couldn’t get the gym built for this year’s teams to play in.”
Smith urged the Council to consider using matching funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to help complete the project, thus saving half the proposed construction money to be used for direct services while still building a top-notch facility at Sequoyah.
“Thanks to the efforts of our Washington D.C. office, that money is available in the 2003 budget, and we are at the top of the list to receive it,” Smith said.
The Council Chambers, packed with Sequoyah parents, teachers, staff, alumni and students, erupted in applause when the legislation setting aside future gaming dividends passed unanimously.
Smith also praised Keen and welcomed him to the Tribal Council.
“I am pleased, privileged and honored to take my place on this Council,” said Keen, whose father, Ralph Keen, Sr., was the first employee of the modern Cherokee Nation and former justice on the Cherokee Nation’s Judicial Appeals Tribunal.
Keen now joins Jackie Bob Martin as Tribal Council members representing District 2 of the Cherokee Nation, which includes all of Adair County.
In other action, the Council voted against a self-help housing pilot project on tribal land and voted to support the film production of “Black Cloud.”
“Black Cloud” was written and will be directed by former NYPD Blue star Rick Schroder.
“I wanted to tell a story of a Native American hero,” Schroder told the Council. “Youth today are influenced by TV and movies, and I want to show Native Americans in a positive light.”
The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council will meet again on March 10, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex.
Related contact information:
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org
Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma |