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Workers spread concrete for the Cherokee Nation Warriors Memorial. (Photo by Bryan Pollard)

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Councilors unanimously approved an act at its Jan. 12 meeting to authorize $41,619 of the funds raised by veterans for the Cherokee Nation Warriors Memorial to be used to start construction on the memorial.

The legislation was required to authorize the expenditure of those funds specifically for construction.

The honor bricks are being offered for $25 each to honor vets and to raise money to help construct the memorial just east of the main tribal complex.

Rogan Noble, tribal veterans representative, said, "We offered Cherokee veterans, their relatives and friends the opportunity to purchase bricks in their honor. Our goal is that the memorial be funded entirely by veterans, their families and friends."

The council unanimously approved five additional resolutions, including the appointment of Callie Catcher, controller and a certified public accountant, as secretary-treasurer of the tribe and Cheryl Cohenour as a member of the CN Environmental Protection Commission.

"Callie Catcher has demonstrated she is the best person to serve the Cherokee Nation in this role," said Principal Chief Chad Smith, who nominated Catcher.

Councilors praised the appointment.

"We've got the best secretary-treasurer of any Indian tribe," said Jackie Bob Martin, who represents Adair County on the Tribal Council.

"I have every confidence in her as a professional," said Joe Crittenden, noting that she is from his district in Adair County, "and she comes from the right part of the world." Catcher, a Cherokee, has been the tribe's controller since 2002. She replaces Jay Hannah, who served as interim secretary-treasurer since 2001.

"She is very, very qualified to serve in this capacity," said Meredith Frailey, who represents Mayes County on the Tribal Council.

Cohenour, a Cherokee, has more than 20 years experience in hazardous/solid waste management and environmental control. A chemist with a bachelor of science degree in cellular biology, she is a certified hazardous materials manager and environmental investigator. She is the founder of CRC & Associates Inc., a Tulsa-based environmental business with consulting and engineering, laboratory, drilling and construction management functions. The company was chosen the 2003 Tulsa District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Native American Business of the Year of Tulsa. She has received numerous awards for her work, as well as serving as the chair of the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy.

Related to the environment, the council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the CN Environmental Programs to submit a grant proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $500,000. If funded, it will be used for a toxic air monitoring project at the Cherokee Heights Housing Addition located near Pryor, Okla.

Other resolutions unanimously approved include:

* authorization for CN Career Services to prepare and submit an application to the Department of Labor for designation to apply for Workforce Investment Act Funding to provide employment and training services to Native American people;

* authorization for the submission of a loan application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a $750,000 loan, after the tribe provides a match of $500,000, to make small business loans; and

* authorization of a service line agreement in Rogers County between the tribe, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and City of Tulsa for the Cherokee Nation Enterprises' casino/hotel in Catoosa.

In his monthly state of the nation report, Chief Smith said CNE helped bring home area Oklahoma National Guardsmen for the Christmas holiday. He sent a special greeting to troops watching the council meeting via the Internet.

"Our hearts are with you, and we want you to come home soon," he said.

Charles Gourd of the Constitution Convention Commission reported the Bureau of Indian Affairs has accepted last year's election of the principal chief, deputy chief and council but has yet to accept the vote on the new constitution.

In the May 2003 general election, Cherokee citizens voted to remove Article XV, Section 10, of the 1975 Cherokee Constitution that states, "no amendment or new Constitution shall become effective without the approval of the President of the United States or his authorized representative." Cherokee citizens then voted to accept the entire revised constitution during a runoff election in July.

Former assistant secretary of the Department of Interior, BIA, Neal McCaleb agreed to accept new the constitution, but his successor has thus far refused to sign it.

"We've got everything ready, and they keep ignoring us," said Constitution Convention Commissioner Marion Hagerstrand.

Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation representative Mary James reported the HACN board recently raised the Community Shield Insurance Program fee by $5 to help "defray the cost of running the program." Approximately 1,700 homeowners use the insurance program to insure their homes.

Cherokee Nation Industries CEO Jim Majewski reported $8.1 million in sales for December and a total of $44 million in sales since last July.

Frailey proposed that legislation amending the Cherokee Nation election laws be tabled to allow for discussion at community meetings. The legislation was tabled until after those meetings are held.

The Council meeting can be seen on the Cherokee Nation's web site.