Cherokee Nation to host Earth Day celebration, announce new environmental policies

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation will host an Earth Day celebration Wednesday, April 17 and Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. will make several announcements about new tribal policies aimed at environmental sustainability and continued efforts at reducing the tribe's carbon footprint.

Since 2019, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner's administration has been instrumental in making changes to promote natural resources and reduce the tribe's carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2027. The Cherokee Nation built its first solar charging canopy at its government office and has two electric transit buses and numerous electric vehicles in its fleet.

EV charging stations now exist throughout the tribe's reservation including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Cherokee Casino Tahlequah, and the tribe's Ann Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita.

The Cherokee Nation, under Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner, has also invested more than $700,000 for solar infrastructure at Cherokee community buildings throughout the reservation to reduce energy consumption and economic burden on valuable community organizations, including through the landmark Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act.