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Cherokee Dispatch
David Comingdeer on Cherokee Whistleblower Case: 40 Firefighters Fired | Cherokee 411 Exclusive
Breaking Down Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country | Interview with Tori Holland
Come on, let's plant with Wayland Smalley
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Cherokee News
UKB Seeks to Reopen Casino in Tahlequah, Submits Gaming Compact for Federal Approval
The United Keetoowah Band submits a gaming compact to reopen its Tahlequah casino. If approved, it marks a major step toward economic growth and tribal self-determination. ...more
Cherokee News
May 09, 2025•2 min read
Trump Proposal Would Slash Funding for Native American Abuse Investigations
Trump's 2025 campaign plan proposes cutting funding for Native abuse investigations, sparking backlash from tribal leaders who warn it threatens protections for vulnerable Native children. ...more
Cherokee News ,Native News
May 05, 2025•2 min read
EBCI Leadership Visits Raleigh to Advocate for Tribal Priorities
EBCI leaders, led by Principal Chief Michell Hicks, visited Raleigh to advocate for tribal priorities including healthcare, cultural preservation, and stronger government-to-government ties. ...more
Cherokee News
May 01, 2025•1 min read
Federal Approval Restores UKB’s Right to Operate Casino in Tahlequah
The UKB regained the right to operate a casino after receiving federal approval from the NIGC, marking a major win for tribal sovereignty and economic development in Tahlequah. ...more
Cherokee News
May 01, 2025•1 min read
Upcoming Events in May & June 2025
Cherokee Nation Picnic North Texas
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: All Day
Location: North Texas
Description: Community picnic for Cherokee Nation citizens and families.
Dallas, TX At Large Meeting
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Byron Nelson High School, Trophy Club, TX
Description: Cultural outreach, registration services, and community fellowship.
Fort Worth, TX At Large Meeting
Date: May 4, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Description: Cherokee Nation cultural and community event.
Cherokee Nation Election Commission Meeting
Date: May 1, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Cherokee Nation Election Commission, Tahlequah, OK
Federal Bar Association 50th Annual Indian Law Conference
Date: April 28–29, 2025
Time: See conference site
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Description: Celebrating 50 years of joint advocacy in Indian Law.
Upcoming NNABA Meeting
Date: June 10–11, 2025
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Description: NNABA Board elections, voting rights summit, and Justice is Medicine Dinner.
The Sovereignty Symposium 2025
Date: June 12–13, 2025
Location: OKANA Resort, Oklahoma City, OK
Description: Annual Indian Law symposium hosted by OCU Law.
Atlanta, GA At Large Meeting
Date: June 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Atlanta, GA (TBA)
Description: At-large citizen gathering with cultural presentations.
Cherokee Tribal Council
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) -
Tribal Council Meeting May 1, 2025
Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation Tribal Council -Meeting
May 12, 2025
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Current Election Information-Cherokee Nation
May 31, June 3, 4, 5 - Early Walk-In Voting; Absentee Drop Box
June 7, 2025 - General Election; Absentee Drop Box
July 19, 22, 23, 24 - Early Walk-In Voting; Absentee Drop Box
July 26, 2025 - Run Off Election; Absentee Drop Box
Cherokee Nation 2025 Tribal Council Candidates
Voices That Answered the Call-Cherokee Nation Election
As Cherokee citizens prepare to head to the polls in 2025, Cherokee 411 reached out to every candidate on the ballot with a simple request:
✓ Tell us who you are, ✓ What you believe, ✓ How you plan to serve the Cherokee Nation.
Not everyone responded. But the ones who did took the time to answer with heart, honesty, and clarity. Their responses reflect not only their platforms, but also their commitment to transparency and to you—the Cherokee people. In this special election edition, we highlight the candidates who showed up, spoke up, and offered their vision for our future.
The upcoming election is an important opportunity for our community to choose its next generation of leaders. We sent each candidate a questionnaire to better understand their priorities, experience, and vision for the future. Click below , on the picture, to meet the candidates, read their responses, and learn where they stand on the issues that matter most.
👇 Click a candidate to learn more:
Jennifer Blalock
District 15 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
Rusty D. Henson
District 9 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
William Crowder
At-Large Candidate
Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
Debra S. McGlasson
District 9 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Stephen Maples
District 4 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Janatha Ketchum-Carter
District 11 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Derrick Ross
District 7 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Frank Whitlock Sr.
District 5 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Brandi Ross
At-Large Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Haley Buzzard
District 10 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Mike Purcell
District 9 Candidate
Cherokee Nation Election
Johnathan Carter
At-Large
Cherokee Nation Election
Cherokee Law & Order
Stitt Vetoes MMIW Bill
Gov. Stitt vetoes MMIP bill, calling it race-based. Advocates argue Native victims face unique legal gaps that make targeted funding critical. Tribes push for veto override to protect lives. ...more
Cherokee News ,Native News
May 09, 2025•2 min read
NOISE Urges Renewed Search for Missing Cherokee Veteran Justin Baker Amid Ongoing MMIWP Crisis
Justin Dewayne Baker, a Cherokee Nation citizen and Army veteran, remains missing. NOISE urges action amid the #MMIWP crisis. #CherokeeNation #FindJustinBaker #IndigenousJustice #MMIWP ...more
Cherokee News ,Native News
May 06, 2025•3 min read
News from Indian Country
Proposed HUD Cuts Could Deepen Native American Housing Crisis, Experts Warn
Trump’s budget plan cuts key Native housing grants, including IHBG and ICDBG, sparking concern from tribal leaders who warn it could worsen the housing crisis across Indian Country ...more
Native News
May 12, 2025•1 min read
Trump’s Proposed Budget Slashes Funding for Tribal Colleges and Native Education Programs
Trump’s 2025 budget plan proposes deep cuts to Native education, including funding for tribal colleges and K–12 programs, raising alarm among Indigenous leaders and education advocates. ...more
Native News
May 12, 2025•2 min read
Trump Proposal Would Slash Funding for Native American Abuse Investigations
Trump's 2025 campaign plan proposes cutting funding for Native abuse investigations, sparking backlash from tribal leaders who warn it threatens protections for vulnerable Native children. ...more
Cherokee News ,Native News
May 05, 2025•2 min read
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NATIVE HEALTH
Tribal Leaders Urge Increased Funding for Health Care as Oklahoma City Area Ranks Lowest in IHS
Tribal leaders call for urgent funding increases as the Oklahoma City IHS region ranks lowest nationwide in per capita support, threatening access to care for nearly 500,000 Native Americans. ...more
Native Health
May 16, 2025•1 min read
Federal DOGE Upheaval Sparks Concern in Cities Nationwide
Federal changes to DOGE are causing funding delays and uncertainty for tribal nations and cities nationwide. Cherokee Nation leaders warn the upheaval could threaten healthcare and self-governance. ...more
Native News ,Native Health
March 30, 2025•2 min read
Tribes That Rely on Federal Medical Funding Fear Impact of Proposed DOGE Cuts
Proposed DOGE funding cuts could severely impact Cherokee Nation healthcare, threatening tribal self-governance and access to care for thousands of citizens across rural Oklahoma. ...more
Cherokee News ,Native Health
March 30, 2025•2 min read
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CULTURAL
Baby’s First Cherokee is here!
Baby’s First Cherokee is a beautifully illustrated board book designed to introduce toddlers and young children to the Cherokee language. Featuring bold, engaging artwork and simple vocabulary presented in both Cherokee and English, this book is an ideal first step in language learning and cultural connection. Authored by Cherokee Nation citizen and educator Bradley Wagnon, and illustrated by Cherokee artist Beth Anderson, Baby’s First Cherokee is more than just a book—it’s a heartfelt effort to preserve and pass on the Cherokee language to future generations.
Buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/3EhuESG
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Tsalagi Widiganvsgi
Baby’s First Cherokee: A Beautiful Beginning to Language and Culture
Introduce little ones to the Cherokee language with Baby’s First Cherokee—a beautifully illustrated board book by Brad Wagnon that fosters cultural pride and early language learning. ...more
Native Culture ,Cherokee Culture News
April 11, 2025•2 min read
‘Come On, Let’s Plant’: Wayland Smalley Brings Cherokee Roots, Ruth Stout Wisdom to Backyard Gardening
‘Come On, Let’s Plant’: Wayland Smalley Brings Cherokee Roots, Ruth Stout Wisdom to Backyard Gardening ...more
Native Culture ,Cherokee Culture News
April 05, 2025•3 min read
Honoring Native American Military Service: Preserving Our Legacy Amid the Pentagon's DEI Purge
Native Americans have served honorably in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. The Navajo Code Talkers’ unbreakable code was crucial in WWII, while Ira Hayes symbolized courage at Iwo Jim... ...more
Native Culture ,Native News
March 26, 2025•4 min read
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