By BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter,File/cherokee Phoenix

Copyright cherokeephoenix

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation Tribal Council gave its final approval of a $3.65 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, with officials citing emphases on education, healthcare and public safety.

The administration of Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. introduced the plan in early September, with the legislative body unanimously approving the budget and capital appropriations during the Sept. 15 regular meeting.

“In the year ahead, there will be more healthcare and wellness programs for our Cherokee people, more opportunities for learning for our young ones and increased courts and public safety, among many other achievements,” Hoskin said. “I’m proud of the (fiscal 2026) budget and applaud the Council of the Cherokee Nation for approving this road map for the coming year. These priorities reflect what is important to the Cherokee people.”

Education received the largest allocation of 21.5 percent of tribally funded services. Public health and wellness will get 16.8 percent and public safety 14 percent. The funding priorities align with initiatives Hoskin shared during his State of the Nation speech during the Cherokee National Holiday.

Major capital investments include $564.8 million for health and behavioral health centers, $61.9 million for the tribal courts and justice facility, $34.9 million for wellness centers, and $19.2 million for child development and Head Start facilities.

“This budget is a testament to our enduring commitment to uplift every Cherokee citizen,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “These investments in our infrastructure, from healthcare to education, will create lasting positive change for generations to come. We are building a stronger, more resilient nation for our children and grandchildren.”

Speaker of the Council Johnny Jack Kidwell mentioned the collaboration between the executive office and the Council.

“The Council is proud to approve this budget, which represents our shared vision for a thriving Cherokee Nation,” Kidwell said. “The Council spent a great deal of time to carefully consider whether we are meeting the most pressing needs of our people and responsibly stewarding our resources for the future. This budget gives us a solid foundation for progress.”

Hoskin said the budget could grow during the fiscal year as the Council examines additional health, wellness and historic preservation initiatives.

Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Chuck Garrett told Councilors that federal contracting opportunities have seen a significant decline and expected challenges during the upcoming fiscal year.

“We are in the process of finalizing our budgets for (fiscal year 2026), and we’ll be presenting them to our board of directors. It is going to be a challenging year,” Garrett said.

He attributed the reduction in contracts to federal agency staffing problems where contracting officers “in some cases, have been there decades. Many have left. Many have been fired. Many are trying to understand the priorities of the (federal) administration.”

Garrett updated the council on legal challenges over the Pope County, Ark., casino. A federal judge has ruled against CNB in its suit over the gaming license. He said attorneys representing the CNB are analyzing a possible appeal. There is a 30-day deadline to file.

He added that CNB recently acquired MSI, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting company specializing in federal modernization projects.

During Hoskin’s report to the Council, the chief mentioned healthcare expansions, including the assumption of Claremore Indian Hospital operations on Oct. 1. The transition is expected to bring roughly 200 federal employees into the CN workforce.

“That is going to be a monumental day in which we assume operations over the last Indian Health Service facility within the Cherokee Nation reservation,” Hoskin said.

Council Officers

Councilors formalized the election of Kidwell as speaker of the legislative body. He is the first At-Large Tribal Councilor to hold the position. District 7 Tribal Councilor Joshua Sam was also chosen to be the legislative body’s Secretary during Monday’s meeting.

During the August Rules Committee meeting, Kidwell thanked his fellow Councilors for their faith in him to carry out the duties of the position.

“I am humbled that you would consider me for this position,” Kidwell said. “I promise you that everything I endeavor to do will be for the betterment of this Council, top to bottom, involving as many people as I possibly can. Thank you very much for your confidence and trust.”

Board Appointments

In other business, the Tribal Council confirmed the appointments or reappointments of several CN citizens to various boards or commissions, including Marilyn Vann, J. Blake Fletcher and Lowell Walker to the CN Environmental Protection Commission. Barry Reynolds, Bill Hickman, Brenda Thompson, Laura Dishman and Julie Eddy Rokala were all reconfirmed for their positions on the Cherokee Nation Businesses Board of Directors.

Criminal Code Changes

Councilors also passed a legislative act that amends the Cherokee Nation Criminal Code by raising the age of consent – currently 16 – for sexual conduct to align with changes at the state level.

“They made a pretty significant revision,” said CN Attorney General Chad Harsha during the August Rules Committee meeting. “The reason why you see different age ranges for various crimes is it has to do with addressing particularly educational institutions where you have someone who, the age of consent let’s say would be 18, but yet they’re engaged in some way with a member of the faculty. It makes those situations a criminal activity by virtue of the relationship between the individual and the assailant. So, it’s addressed in different contexts throughout the code to align with protecting the interest of young people even if they are, let’s say, above the age of 16.”

Harsha said the revisions were made based on internal conversations with AG prosecutorial staff.

“The goal of the changes that we’re proposing are similar to the thousands of other code changes we’ve brought about since the McGirt decision over the past five years,” he said, noting the legislation strives to be consistent with tribal values and also state law.

Other Business

The legislators also approved the donation of surplus items to Southern Cherokee Helpers and Hulbert Public Schools. The Council also recognized District 1 Tribal Councilor Sasha Blackfox-Qualls for her selection as an Obama Foundation leader for 2025-26.

A special Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m., Sept. 28 at the W.W. Keeler complex.