Title
A RESOLUTION DECLARING NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (“NSU”) A CHEROKEE NATION PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNER AND SUPPORTING IN PRINCIPLE A MEMORANDUN OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN NSU AND CHEROKEE NATION
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation (“Nation”) since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the 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 Council of the Cherokee Nation enacted the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, as amended (“PHWFA”) <https://cherokee.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14859179&GUID=4EDB7C7C-D851-46C8-B9B4-6D1C7B787B7F> which broadly authorizes the Principal Chief to make expenditures relating to “Public Health and Wellness Activities and Infrastructure,” more fully described in Section 4, § 1004 of the Act; and
WHEREAS, Northeastern State University (“NSU”) is a public university whose main campus is located within the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Tahlequah, the capital city of the Cherokee Nation, and shares a unique and inextricably linked history with the Nation and is an indispensable higher education partner to the Nation and surrounding communities, and
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has identified categories of Public Health and Wellness Activities and Infrastructure within which NSU, and NSU by and through the Northeastern State University Foundation, can make investments which will ensure the benefit of Cherokee Nation; and
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has identified various other interests shared by the Nation and NSU, which warrant formal agreement, including but not limited to: historic preservation, repatriation, efficient consolidation of periodic donations and tribal nation exclusivity; and
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has identified funding not to exceed $750,000 from the PHWFA Fund, as authorized under the PHWFA, available to donate annually to NSU to meet the aforementioned investments and interests pursuant to a formal agreement, negotiated and executed by the Principal Chief under his or her preexisting authority for a period not to exceed ten years with provisions for renewals, provided that the terms of that agreement includes the following provisions:
• NTE $750,000 annual donation to NSU and/or NSU Foundation, to be spent within NSU and/or NSU Foundation’s discretion, without supplanting current NSU and/or NSU Foundation funding levels or commitments, within the following earmarked categories of:
o 33% Student physical fitness, student health and safety and athletics,
o 33% Native student programs and infrastructure,
o 34% Cherokee Nation scholarships and grants in the health field.
• NSU agrees to establish a “Cherokee Nation / NSU Joint Repatriation Work Group,” with Cherokee Nation’s participation determined by the Principal Chief and which work group shall commit to exploring joint projects on historic preservation and repatriation of records and assets from NSU to Cherokee Nation.
• NSU provides for an advisory role for Cherokee Nation on hiring committee for key faculty and University Leadership.
• Appropriate Cherokee Nation branding opportunities.
• Tribal nation exclusivity for Cherokee Nation as it relates to partnerships and sponsorships.
• Elements of public transparency, including making the MOU publicly accessible, requiring the issuance of an annual report on expenditures.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Council of the Cherokee Nation supports an annual donation not to exceed $750,000 to NSU and/or NSU Foundation, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, through any available funding source, provided under the terms of a memorandum of understanding negotiated and executed by the Principal Chief.