Council of the Cherokee Nation - File #: 20-090

• File #: 20-090
• Version: 1
• Name: KETCHER-DEASON ACT OF 2020
• Type: Legislative Act
• Status: Passed
• File created: 12/2/2020
• In control: TRIBAL COUNCIL
• On agenda: 12/15/2020
• Final action: 1/19/2021
• Enactment date: 1/11/2021
• Enactment #: LA-01-21
• Title: AN ACT RELATING TO PROVIDING A MEMORIAL TO FAMILIES OF EMPLOYEES WHOSE DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM COVID-19
• Sponsors: Canaan Duncan , Shawn Crittenden, Keith Austin, Harley Buzzard, Joe Byrd, Julia Coates, Joe Deere, Mike Dobbins, Rex Jordan, Wes Nofire, Dora Patzkowski, Mike Shambaugh, Mary Baker Shaw, E. O. "JR." Smith, Janees Taylor, Victoria Vazquez
• Indexes: COVID-19, Memorial
• Code sections: ?? - Unknown
• Related files: 24-006

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/19/2021	1	OFFICE OF THE CHIEF	Signed
1/11/2021	1	TRIBAL COUNCIL	Approved	Pass
12/15/2020	1	RULES COMMITTEE	Approved and Forwarded to Council	Pass

Title
AN ACT RELATING TO PROVIDING A MEMORIAL TO FAMILIES OF EMPLOYEES WHOSE DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM COVID-19
Body
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION:

Section 1. Title and Codification

This act shall be known as the Ketcher-Deason Act of 2020 and codified as (Title)(Section) of the Cherokee Nation Code Annotated.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to honor employees of Cherokee Nation and its entities who have died from the novel coronavirus disease 2019 known as “COVID-19.” This Act is named after the late Karen Ketcher and the late Faye Deason, both employees who passed away from COVID-19.

Karen Ketcher dedicated her life to working in and for Indian Country for over 40 years. Karen’s most influential positions included Regional Director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Oklahoma Region and the Executive Director of Self Governance for Cherokee Nation. Karen was well respected by all you knew her both professionally and personally.

Faye Deason dedicated her life to serving her community and her Tribe. Faye worked for the Cherokee Nation for 25 years at Wilma P. Mankiller Heath Center. Faye was born and raised in Stilwell and was a first-language Cherokee Speaker. Faye was well respected by all who knew her both professionally and personally.

Section 3. Legislative History

Article VI, Section 7 of the Cherokee Nation Constitution states that the Council of the Cherokee shall have the power to establish laws which it shall deem necessary and proper for the good of the Nation.


Section 4. Definitions

For purposes of this Title, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

1. Employee. “Employee” shall mean any full-time, part-time, or limited-term contract employee of the Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Nation Businesses, and its entities who has been employed since March, 2020.
2. Family. “Family” shall mean first-degree, immediate family member(s) of the late employee, and shall only include: legal or biological mother or fath...