Tuesday, March 25, 2025-The Cherokee Nation contributed $7.6 million to 107 school districts as part of the tribe’s 2025 Public School Appreciation Day held with area educators at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa on Tuesday.
As part of the tribe’s Motor Vehicle Tag legislation and compact with the state, the Cherokee Nation allocates 38% of its annual car tag revenue directly to education.
On Tuesday, checks were awarded to school districts to use the funds at their discretion.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said, “We made clear from the beginning that we wouldn’t cave to demands for a one-size-fits-all car tag compact with the state that ignored the unique needs of tribes and overrides tribal sovereignty—and that a fair compact benefited both the Cherokee Nation and all Oklahomans, and that is evident today as we can support our schools and classrooms.
The Cherokee Nation has distributed $99.7 million to public schools in the Cherokee Nation Reservation and contiguous counties since 2002.
“To date, our Cherokee Nation Motor Vehicle Tag Compact has stood as a model, helping our tribe thrive, exercising our sovereign rights, and helping our neighbors achieve, especially our public schools and youth, who will be our future leaders,” Hoskin added.
Cherokee Nation operates its own tag agency, issuing its own titles and registrations to Cherokee Nation citizens living both on the reservation and at large in Oklahoma as part of the tag compact agreement.
The tribe also allocates 20% for roads and bridges and a percentage to law enforcement.
“The Cherokee Nation continues to be an excellent partner in our communities, especially public schools and education, which has always been at the forefront of our tribe,” Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner said. “The funds from the sales of our tribal car tags provide our teachers with what they need in their classrooms and directly invest in the next generation.”
School superintendents from across the Cherokee Nation Reservation gathered Tuesday for an appreciation luncheon and received their district checks from the tribe.
“Today is a very exciting day we look forward to every year—not only the financial backing we receive from Cherokee Nation, but also the appreciation they show to our teachers who are doing great things in the classroom,” said Warner Public Schools Superintendent David Vinson. “We appreciate the contribution; it helps us do a lot of things in our district, but it’s bigger than that—it’s a community. Some years, we use the funds to build and create new programs for students and to create new opportunities for students. That’s what we like to do, but in those lean years we’re able to use it how we need to, and that’s also very helpful.”
Each school district decides on how to use the funding provided by the Cherokee Nation. In past years, school districts have used the funds to cover teacher salaries, upgrade facilities, support operations, expand technology, and bolster school programs.
The money allocated to school districts is based on the number of Cherokee Nation citizens who have enrolled. However, the funding benefits all students in each school district.
“The support of Cherokee Nation citizens and the hard work of our Cherokee Nation Tax Commission staff have continued to help us make a significant financial impact on our schools,” Cherokee Nation Tax Commission Administrator Sharon Swepston said. “Each year, the tax commission is very proud to play a role in helping schools throughout Northeastern Oklahoma leave positive and lasting impacts on students and communities.”
Press Release
For more news stories, stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com
Kommentare