Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council honored veterans during its November Tribal Council meeting."I want us to take time to thank our veterans and remember the veterans who we cannot thank, because they gave their all for freedom", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Smith noted that Cherokees and other Native Americans serve in the military, and in combat, at a far higher rate than any other ethnicity and encouraged people to attend Veteran’s Day parades and ceremonies.
Deputy Chief Joe Grayson, who presided over the meeting, asked all veterans present to stand. Grayson, a decorated Vietnam veteran, then led a long round of applause for the many veterans in attendance.
The Council also honored the Sequoyah High School Cross-Country team, which won the state championship earlier this month.
"We’ve got most of the guys coming back next year, so hopefully we might have a chance to win again next year", said Sam Horse Chief, SHS cross-country coach.
The Council unanimously passed amendments to the 2002 and 2003 Indian Housing plans and an amendment to the Cherokee Nation budget.
The Council also voted to approve seven of Principal Chief Smith’s nominees for various boards and commissions of the Cherokee Nation. The Council approved: Pam Iron and Sharon Swepston as members of the board of directors for Cherokee Nation Home Health; Mike McEver and Ralph Keen, Jr., as members of the Cherokee Nation Employee Appeals Board; B.J. Dumond and Dennis Dowell as members of the Cherokee Nation Enterprises Board of Directors; and John Schurr as a member of the Cherokee Nation Editorial Board.
The Council tabled Chief Smith’s nomination of Darrell Matlock as a Justice on the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal. Matlock is currently serving as a Justice.
The Council also unanimously approved an act making use of body armor by a convicted felon a crime in the Cherokee Nation and passed an act further specifying the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission.
The entire November 10 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be seen on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, www.cherokee.org.
The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for December 15, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers of 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 |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |