Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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News from Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council confirmed Darell Matlock’s appointment to the Cherokee Nation’s highest court during the February Tribal Council meeting Tuesday night. Matlock was nominated by the Principal Chief Chad Smith and has served on the Judicial Appeals Tribunal (JAT) since 2000."I appreciate the vote of confidence", Matlock told the Council.
"Justice Matlock has served the Cherokee Nation with distinction for the past four years and I’m pleased the Council unanimously confirmed his nomination." Smith said. Matlock’s term on the JAT runs through 2008.
The Council also passed a resolution for a juvenile "Healing to Wellness" court, over which district court judge Bart Fite will preside.
"These kinds of courts have proven highly effective", said Meredith Frailey, Tribal Council member from Mayes County.
The Council also unanimously approved a budget modification, two health care resolutions and a resolution supporting the Transportation Equity Act, which reauthorized the Indian Reservation Roads program. That program funds more than $10 million in roads projects annually.
"This resolution calls for an increased funding level", said Melanie Knight, interim director of government resources for Cherokee Nation.
The Council also passed an act establishing the Cherokee Nation Comprehensive Care Agency, which will offer the Cherokee Nation added opportunities to form partnerships to provide health care and elder services.
Additionally, the Council also passed a law establishing policies and procedures for Cherokee Nation trust funds and trust assets, which is a step towards receiving the first installment of the Cherokee Nation’s $20 million Arkansas Riverbed settlement.
The Council also passed a measure that allows tribal corporations to purchase property without a vote of the Tribal Council.
"This preserves the necessary confidentiality to protect our competitiveness", Frailey said.
In other business, the Council unanimously passed a resolution to submit a grant proposal to the National Park Service for a tribal preservation program.
Citizens can watch the entire Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, www.cherokee.org. The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for March 15 in the Tribal Council Chambers in the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.
| 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 |