Native OK 3/22 Weekly Newsletter

Historic $120M housing initiative proposed by Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner

BY STAFF REPORTS

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner are proposing to use $120 million in funding to expand affordable housing options and offer low-income home repairs and other related housing needs for Cherokee citizens across the reservation.

The proposal reauthorizes the Hoskin-Warner administration’s landmark Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act of 2019, which this year will complete repairs and replacements of nearly 200 homes for Cherokee elders or Cherokee citizens with disabilities. The 2019 law, funded completely with revenue from the tribe’s business arm, also upgraded community buildings with energy conserving projects such as solar panels and energy efficient appliances.

“Deputy Chief Warner and I proposed the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act right after we took office in 2019 because housing is a critical component for building a strong foundation and strong communities, particularly for our elders,” Hoskin said. “The Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act’s initial $30 million investment was the largest housing investment in Cherokee history. We did it purely with our tribal business revenue and before we had a single extra penny of federal funds. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic brought construction to a halt for more than a year, by this year’s end we will have met our goal of serving every elder or Cherokee with a disability who was on the housing rehab waiting list as of August 2019. But, we have so much more work to do to meet the housing needs of the Cherokee people. This proposed reauthorization will provide even more stability and security for our citizens.”

The proposed HJSCA reauthorization by Hoskin and Warner would be funded with a combination of unspent general fund revenue authorized under the existing law and additional funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act. Aspects of the proposed $120 million plan include:

$20 million for low-income housing rehab or home replacement, primarily for Cherokee elders and Cherokee citizens with disabilities
$10 million for low-income emergency housing rehab, primarily for elders and citizens with disabilities
$30 million for constructing new homes for pending applicants who own their own land on the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation’s current “New Construction Home Ownership Program” (NCHOP) waiting list.
$30 million for constructing new homes for pending “landless” applicants on HACN’s current NCHOP waiting list
$4 million for new, low-income housing rental units
$4 million for building or expanding fluent Cherokee speaker villages
$10 million for crisis shelters for homeless citizens or victims of domestic violence
$7 million to continue Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach’s “Sustainability Grants” for Cherokee community organizations and buildings
$5 million for land acquisition and development for housing projects in the proposal

Warner said the proposal’s historic commitment to new affordable housing has the potential to make generational change in the Cherokee Nation.

The proposal’s $60 million in new home construction will help shorten wait times for current applicants under HACN’s New Home Construction Program. Under that program, participants receive a new home on a rent-to-own basis with a 30-year payoff and a monthly payment below market rate. Under Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner’s proposal, payments on new homes would go directly into funding future housing programs. Under a unique provision of federal law, the new homes can also potentially harness federal impact aid funds for local public schools.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner’s proposal is on top of over $40 million in recent expansions of various mortgage assistance programs as well as emergency rehab programs operated by Cherokee Nation and the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation. HACN is also planning millions of dollars in additional low-income rental projects using other federal funding sources.

“The Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act of 2019 was the most ambitious housing plan in Cherokee history. But it pales in comparison to our new proposal. I look forward to working with the Council on this new plan, because we have no time to lose when it comes to taking care of our elders and literally building a better future for our Cherokee families,” Hoskin said.

The housing plan goes before the council’s Rules Committee on March 31. If approved during committee, it could see final approval at a special council meeting later the same day.

Second Annual Trail of Tears Virtual Challenge Starts March 21st

DURANT, Okla. (March 10, 2022) – The Second Annual Trail of Tears Virtual Journey kicks off March 21, 2022. This year, the route will take the participants over 512 miles from Mississippi to Oklahoma. The points of interest along the way will be different from last year, with several videos highlighting aspects of the ancestral journey and Choctaw heritage. Participants will have until June 19, 2022 to complete the challenge.

The Trail of Tears Virtual Journey started in 2021 when the Choctaw Nation Healthy Lifestyles Team brainstormed how to get all Choctaw tribal members outside and moving amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. "Giving them the virtual challenge gave a purpose to many of our members," says Doris Winlock, Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator. "They were excited to learn about the journey our ancestors took with the informational points of interest along the way."

The challenge is completed by using an app called Walker Tracker. Participants will use the app and any step counter they currently have to track and log steps over the three-month challenge. The app will display the route and points of interest along the way. Complete instructions are found on the Choctaw Nation webpage.

Over 700 people joined the challenge last year and 651 completed the journey. "We wanted to make it reasonable for all levels of activity, so the participants were allowed to have teams of three if they wanted," explains Winlock. "Many did the 700-mile journey all by themselves." With 22 states represented, Winlock hopes to expand participation nationally, challenging our friends in Ireland and other countries.

To join the challenge, participants can review the details of the Virtual Trail of Tears. Everyone is invited to participate and upon finishing will receive a medal and certificate through the mail. Winlock says, "Round up a couple of your friends and sign up today!"

Tahdooahnippah Inducted to the Hall of Fame

George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah is an enrolled Comanche Tribal Member, husband and father of five, CEO of three tribal companies, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, and winner of four middleweight boxing championship titles, was inducted into the 2022 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.

He launched his boxing career in 2004. His titles include: 2008 Native American Boxing Council’s Super Middleweight Champion, 2011 World Boxing Council’s Continental Americas Middleweight Champion, 2012 North American Boxing Association’s US Middleweight Champion, and 2014 Oklahoma Super Middleweight Boxing Champion.

His other awards include 2011’s Top 40 under 40 Native American Entrepreneur, Goodwill Ambassador Award from the World Boxing Council for his fight against diabetes, and the American Indian Exposition’s 2012 Celebrity Indian of the Year award.

Tahdooahnippah, had the largest fan base in Oklahoma, and was accompanied to the ring with Native American dancers in full regalia, Native American Drum group, and Native American Rappers. Tahdooahnippah said, “No fighter in the world brought what I brought to the ring.”

From the pound of the Native American drum to the breath-taking display of Native American Fancy War Dancers, to the hip hop sounds of his Native American rappers. Comanche Boy topped it off with his power punching, fan friendly style, knocking his opponent’s out. He then performed his own victory war dance.

Tahdooahnippah built a nine-year 31-0 boxing career before his first loss. He fought four ESPN fights including one undercard, HBO pay per view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “When I started on this journey, nobody believed in me. But I kept going.

This has been the highest honor I carried as a professional fighter and I did my best representing my Native American people,” said Tahdooahnippah. He retired from boxing in 2016 with a record of 34 wins, 3 losses, 3 draws and 2 no contests.

Chickasaw Market celebrating women artists this month

ADA -- Chickasaw Market in downtown Ada has expanded its storefront to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Already known for its gift-worthy First American jewelry, apparel, beadwork and pottery, the market will expand its storefront to feature many renowned women artists, authors and artisans.

Hours of operation for March are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a news release from the Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office.

Bedré Fine Chocolate, Pendleton products and Mahota Textiles will be available for purchase at the market along with apparel, DVDs, books and First American art and jewelry.

The “Three Sisters Blanket,” a Pendleton from the Chickasaw Cultural Center, is on display, highlighting Brenda Kingery. Displays at the Chickasaw Market will also feature Pearl Scott, Te Ata and Lushanya.

Also featured is the 2022 “Butterfly” artwork created by Kaylie Beshirs, a student at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.

The market is located at 105 W. Main St. in Ada. The facility will maintain Chickasaw Nation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines. For more information, call (580) 332-1458.

Other featured Chickasaw artists are silversmith Courtney Smith, beader Ashley Bond, sculptor and potter Joanna Underwood Blackburn, polymer clay artist Amanda Schultz and beader Sherri Miller.