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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CHEROKEE NATION 21ST CENTURY CHILDCARE INITIATIVE
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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 Nation has made historic investments in childcare facilities since 2019, including new Child Development Centers (CDC) in Pryor, Sallisaw and Catoosa and the replacement of all Cherokee Nation Head Start facilities under the Verna D Thomson Early Childhood Education Act (Tahlequah, Stilwell, Jay, Kenwood, Salina, Pryor and Nowata); and
WHEREAS, the Nation issued a childcare study dated August 31, 2026 (2026 Child Care Study <https://cherokee.gov/media/vdxplrjk/ccd_report_child-care-development_2026-aug31.pdf>), reviewing and expanding upon the Nation’s 2021 childcare study, identifying opportunities for Cherokee Nation to invest in more childcare infrastructure across the reservation, with recommendations for prioritizing these investments and further recommendations for expanding programs and services within the Human Services Department; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Child Care study recommends Tahlequah and Vinita as among the priority communities for the construction of new Child Development Centers; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Child Care study further recommends program expansions, including providing grants for private sector child start ups or expansions, expanding hours of CDCs, and increasing Child Care Subsidy rates; and
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has advised the Council, responsive to inquires from the Council, that an expansion of operating hours at Cherokee Nation Head Start facilities directly operated by Cherokee Nation’s Education Department would meaningfully and positively impact the availability of childcare for participating families; and
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has advised the Council that funding under Cherokee Nation’s Public Law 102-477 Plan, as well as interest generated from funds under that plan, are available for funding various construction and operations relating to the initiatives outlined the 2026 Child Care Study and the recommendation to extend the hours of Head Start; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations outlined above align with the Council’s expectations of expanding access to quality childcare for Cherokee Nation citizens and the Cherokee Nation workforce; and
WHEREAS, nothing herein reduces the authority of the Council, including its authority to appropriate funds, provide oversight of executive branch functions or to otherwise direct spending related to childcare or early childhood education construction, programs or services;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Council of the Cherokee Nation supports the “Cherokee Nation 21st Century Child Care Initiative,” funded by any available source of funds, including but not limited to PL 102-477 Plan funds and interest on said funds, subject to Council appropriations and oversight, to include the following elements:
• Construction of a new Child Development Center in Tahlequah, located in or near the Cherokee Nation Health campus at 101 Bliss Avenue, of approximately 25,000 square feet, of approximately 100 child capacity and an investment of approximately $20 million.
• Remodeling and expansion of the existing Child Development Center in Tahlequah, located at 16947 S Cherokee St- including but not limited to roof and wall panel replacement, new drop off awning, additional storage additional office space and a training classroom- an investment of approximately $10 million.
• Construction of a new Child Development Center in Vinita, located near the Cherokee Nation Vinita Health Center at 27371 S. 4410 Road, of approximately 25,000 square feet, of approximately 100 child capacity and an investment of approximately $20 million.
• Expansion of operating hours, including extended weekday hours for CDC and Headstart and summer days for Headstart, an investment of $4.1 million annually.
• A minimum of an annual “Cherokee Nation 21st Century Childcare Initiative” report from the Principal Chief to the Council on progress implementing the investments supported by this resolution and such further recommendations on child care expansion and improvement opportunities as the Principal Chief may advise.