What We Can Do Working Together

The Cherokee Nation is working again! Since 1999, we have worked together to re-establish a calm, open and accountable government. We have accomplished those things that we said we would do. There is still much more work to be done.

The Cherokee Nation is the second largest Indian Nation in the country. We have 100s' of programs that include hospitals, clinics, education, housing, tribal enterprises and businesses, a trust authority, tax commission, gaming commission, and many other departments and services. The Cherokee Nation employs 6,500 employees and manages a multi-million dollar annual budget that requires competent, skilled leadership, staff and employees at all levels.

Let us continue moving forward by working together with proven, competent and qualified leadership. Let us build on the foundation of accomplishments and leadership established the last eight years by re-electing Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith and Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. Chief Smith and Deputy Chief Grayson also are asking for your support of the Team CherokeeTribal Council Candidates. Please take some time to review these qualified candidates by clicking on the Team Cherokee link on the home page.

Country

• Exercise Sovereignty
• Tribal Government Foundation
• Cherokee Nation Citizenship

The Smith administration will continue to press forward for our treaty rights that include a Cherokee Nation Delegate to Congress, hunting and fishing rights and water rights.

Continue to practice Leadership we can be proud of ... Chief Smith will continue to work hard in D.C. to successfully help bring $millions in additional health care funding to our people, the Land Reform Act, protect our Arkansas Riverbed lands, build an economic base to protect our sovereignty.

Competence

• Achieve Operational Performance

We must continuously improve the systems and processes through which we perform the work of a government. Continue financial accountability and strive for Excellence In Financial Reporting.

We will continue to promote and improve the health, education and social services of the Cherokee Nation to help Cherokees help themselves. We will strive for effectiveness and efficiency in doing our work for the Cherokee people. We will evaluate new ways to serve our people better.

Community

• Encourage Tribal Members

Strong communities are the strength of the Cherokee Nation. We will continue to place emphasis on programs that are community based, improve communication for strong community input and address the specific needs of a community.

We will promote positive policy and plans to help resolve Housing needs for our people.

We will continue to place emphasis on developing Cherokee self-sufficiency through career training, and jobs near their home communities.

Building our Marshal Service to serve and protect our Cherokee communities.

Capacity

• Build Cherokee Nation Employees

We have outstanding employees. We must continue to build the abilities and capacities of our employees by providing training, acquiring contractors to assist in training, and implementing best practice programs and services for the benefit of Cherokee people.

We will continue to focus on more ways to assist Cherokee families who have experienced the devastation of drug and substance abuse, diabetes and other catastrophic illness. A healthy nation and people have the ability to achieve self-sufficiency.

Continue to work hard to expand our business operations and jobs. There is much work ahead to reach our self-sufficiency goals. Together we will make a positive difference.

Culture

• Promote Our Language and Culture

We must use the knowledge and wisdom of our culture. We will continue and expand on work begun to preserve our language, culture, history, heritage, and traditional values.

We will continue to put emphasis on Cherokee Culture Camps, our Cherokee National Holiday the National Cherokee Historical Society's Museum and Cultural Center and our Cherokee artists and artisans.

We will pursue immersion language classes and find incentives for preserving our language.