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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CHEROKEE CONNECT, A PROJECT TO EXPAND RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET SERVICES IN CHEROKEE COMMUNITIES
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has exclusive tribal jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation Reservation, the geographic scope of which is defined in federal and Cherokee Nation law.
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has determined that a need exists for the expansion of broadband services and affordable high-speed internet in rural communities; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has developed, with Council approval, the Respond, Recover, and Rebuild (“RRR”), funded in part by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which includes historic investments improving connectivity across the reservation; and,
WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded funding to Cherokee Nation for the purposes of increasing access to broadband services in unserved and underserved communities as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and,
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation wishes to develop and build self-supporting communication tower sites in the following communities: Belfonte, Bell and CC Camp, Brent, Brushy, Chewey, Christie, Dry Creek, Eucha, Greasy, Marble City, Oakhill Piney, Oaks, Proctor, Tailholt, and Vian, pending final agreements with the community organizations. (See “Exhibit A,” locations are approximate for illustration purposes).
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation intends to partner with wireless internet service providers to provide affordable and reliable, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities, offer a discount to Cherokee Nation citizens who use the service and reside in the community being served, and pursue further agreements with cellular carriers to expand cellular coverage in these areas; and,
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation intends to work with emergency and dispatch services to place needed equipment on the communication towers, including radio equipment to be used by emergency dispatchers and emergency warning systems such as tornado sirens.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Council of the Cherokee Nation supports the Principal Chief’s “Cherokee Connect” initiative, which includes the construction of communication towers and partnerships between Cherokee Nation and wireless internet service providers and cellular carriers to provide affordable and reliable, high-speed internet and cellular service to unserved and underserved communities; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and/or his authorized designee(s) are authorized to enter into leases with the community organizations and/or landowners in accordance with 25 CFR 162, the Bureau of Indian Affairs policies and procedures for leasing land owned by the United States of America in Trust for Cherokee Nation, and the Cherokee Nation Real Estate Services Leasing Policies for Cherokee Nation Tribal Fee Lands.