Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council unanimously passed several resolutions to advance planned Cherokee Nation construction projects.

The health clinic projects will bring an 82,000 square foot clinic to Muskogee, a 25,000 square foot health center to Nowata and an 11,000 square foot annex to expand the clinic in Sallisaw. The council unanimously passed a resolution that authorizes Cherokee Nation Health Services to participate in the Indian Health Service 2005 Joint Venture Construction Program. In this program, the Cherokee Nation will pay for constructing the Muskogee clinic and will manage it the Indian Health Service will pay for the operating costs after the clinic is built.

Another resolution called for the Council to support solicitation of health care facility loan proposals for the three construction projects. The two new clinics will help reduce the burden on other Indian Health Service facilities, such as Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Claremore Indian Hospital and the Cherokee Nation's Redbird Smith Clinic in Sallisaw.

"Excitement continues to grow in district 4 concerning this clinic," said Don Garvin, Tribal Council member representing the Muskogee area. "The Cherokee Nation has recognized an urgent need for a health care center to be constructed in Muskogee, Okla."

The Preservation of Cherokee Culture at Cherokee Nation Facilities Act, presented by Phyllis Yargee, Council member representing Sequoyah County, will be implemented along with new Cherokee Nation construction projects. The act passed unanimously.

Initially introduced by Principal Chief Chad Smith, the cultural preservation program will provide for a minimum of one percent of new construction projects be spent on Cherokee art. The act applies to substantial construction projects with a budget of $500,000 or more.

"It is very important for us to perpetuate our rich culture and there is no better way to do it than through our own Cherokee Nation artists," said Chief Smith.

"It is my pleasure to present this act," said Council member Yargee. "This will provide a simple way to educate our neighbors and our citizens about our culture and heritage through visual art. The purpose of this act is to earmark one percent of new construction or renovation to any existing facility for artwork or architect design which will reflect our culture."

Cherokee citizens, and Tahlequah natives, John T. Thompson and his granddaughter Amanda Davis were honored for their military service by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. during the July Tribal Council meeting. Thompson was with the United States Air Force during World War II and the Vietnam War and Davis is on her sixth year with the United States Army and is serving her second tour of duty in Iraq.

The Cherokee Nation honored three Cherokee military veterans during Chief Smith's state of the nation address. Former Master Sgt. John T. Thompson and his granddaughter Amanda Davis, both of Tahlequah, were honored for their military service. Thompson, a career serviceman, joined the United States Army-Air Force right after graduating from Sequoyah Orphan Training School in 1942. His service ended in 1945 and he re-enlisted in December 1946. He served in World War II and received the D.F.C., the air medal, the Good Conduct and Asia/Pacific medals. He also served during the Vietnam War and retired from the Air Force in 1967.

Amanda Davis, like her grandfather, joined the service after graduating Sequoyah High School. She is currently in service with the U.S. Army and has served two tours of duty with "Operation Iraqi Freedom." In the first tour she was assigned to the First Infantry. The recipient of several combat awards, Davis is now in her second tour and is assigned with the Fourth Infantry, stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

The Cherokee Nation also honored, Army Sgt. Arnold Duplantier II, who lost his life on June 22 in Iraq while guarding a hotel where media crews were staying. Duplantier was a patriot who found a career in the military and volunteered for a tour of duty in Iraq. The presentation was accepted by Duplantier's grandfather, Cherokee Nation citizen Jim Ketcher.

In other business, the Council confirmed the nominations of Jim Hummingbird as a member of the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission, Warren Ross as a board member of Cherokee Nation Industries, and Terri Daniels as a board member of the Economic Development Trust Authority.

The entire July 11 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be viewed on the Cherokee Nation's web site, www.cherokee.org.

The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 15, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex on Highway 62 south of Tahlequah.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

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 Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

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 Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org