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Cherokee Nation
Posted: Jun 04, 2025 9:08 AMUpdated: Jun 04, 2025 9:08 AM
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. on COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Tom Davis
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. was a guest on KWON’s Community Connection to discuss key updates affecting the Cherokee Nation, from infrastructure and federal budget concerns to cultural events and upcoming elections.
Chief Hoskin talked about the recent completion of the Double Creek Bridge project in Washington County, a $1.1 million effort fully funded by the Cherokee Nation. “That bridge will probably outlast both of us,” Hoskin said, emphasizing the importance of investing in rural infrastructure.
Hoskin is concerned about proposed budget cuts impacting Native programs, including the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), public safety funding, and the Bureau of Indian Education. He also criticized the abrupt federal shutdown of Job Corps sites, including Talking Leaves, saying it disrupted services for vulnerable youth.
“We’ve got staff trying to get kids home instead of helping them earn their GED or learn a trade,” Hoskin said.
Hoskin described a recent visit by U.S. Department of Justice officials as both postitive and productive, praising their interest in the Cherokee Nation’s expanded public safety and rehabilitation programs.
Hoskin also spotlighted the annual Remember the Removal bike ride, where young Cherokee citizens retrace the Trail of Tears on a nearly 1,000-mile journey from Georgia to Oklahoma. “It’s a powerful experience that connects them to their past and prepares them for the future,” he said.
Finally, the chief reminded citizens of Saturday’s general election, with several Tribal Council seats on the ballot. “We’re one of the oldest democracies on the planet,” Hoskin said, encouraging voters to visit CherokeeVote.org for more information adding that the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.
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