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Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Tribal Councilors present a check in excess of $2.3 million to school districts within the 14-county jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation. The funds are collected from a percentage of the tribe’s car tag revenue. Pictured Front Row: Phyllis Yargee, Johnny Keener, Bill Johnson, Buel Anglen, Chuck Hoskin, Chad Smith. Back row: Bill John Baker, David Thornton, Joe Crittenden, Don Garvin, Jackie Bob Martin, and Cara Cowan Watts.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation donated more than $2.3 million recently to public schools within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction at an education summit held at the Cherokee Nation Complex in Tahlequah.

“Historically, Cherokees have always been dedicated to education. We established the first institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River in the Cherokee Female Seminary. The Cherokee Nation also endeavors to be a good community partner, and one of the ways we accomplish this is to work closely with communities and their schools,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, during the summit.

All funds distributed to schools are generated from the sale of Cherokee Nation car tags over the last year. Under Cherokee Nation law, the tribe gives schools within its jurisdiction 38 percent of the revenues generated by tag sales. Tag revenue is donated only to those schools whose district lines are within tribal jurisdiction, since the Cherokees only sell tags to its citizens who live within jurisdictional boundaries. This year’s contribution to area schools is greater than last year’s donation by more than $167,000.

“We have given over $6 million dollars to area schools in the last three years, and schools can use these funds as they deem most appropriate. We are the only Indian nation to return car tag monies to schools, which we think demonstrates our total commitment to education,” Smith said.

Members of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council were very pleased with the opportunity to provide the schools with the funding, and several Councilors said they felt this donation was one of the most important donations of the year.

Education funding is distributed based on the number of Cherokee children in each school. This year, the Cherokee Nation disbursed $2,383,620.02 to public schools in the eligible counties.

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