TAHLEQUAH – Legislation to extend the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act through 2026 was given initial approval by the CN Rules Committee on Jan. 30.The full Tribal Council approved the act in 2022 to “mitigate the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Cherokee Nation artists.” The act, which expired at the end of fiscal year 2024, set aside $3 million to purchase art from Cherokee artists, support market access and more.“The act has demonstrated its effectiveness, providing opportunities for Cherokee Nation artists to sell art, access the consumer art market and perpetuate Cherokee art forms through teaching opportunities,” the extension legislation states. “The act increased Cherokee Nation’s collection of art purchased under the act by 521 pieces from 170 artists.”Cherokee National Treasure and sculptor Eddie Morrison lauded the program.“That’s the best thing I think has happened for our young artists,” he said.The committee’s unanimous vote in favor of the extension will be considered by the full Tribal Council.During the Jan. 30 Culture Committee meeting, CN Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan gave investment data handouts to each Tribal Council member, highlighting the work that has been invested into each district since 2020.The progress reports show funding spent for different programs and community infrastructure, with each one being posted to the tribe’s social media for public view starting with District 1. The first report posted shows District 1’s highlights, including a $100,000 infrastructure contribution to Hulbert Public Schools, a new Hulbert EMS and Public Safety office and water park/splash pad in Okay. The report also shows a breakdown of funding spent on investments in community infrastructure, early childhood construction and child care, public education, community partner grants to non-profits, Cherokee Nation Businesses capital investments, housing services, health care and more. “This outstanding information highlights all the good that we’ve been able to do, and it’s good that we’ve been able to do it collectively,” Duncan said. “It absolutely could not have been done without this Tribal Council in particular.”The CN Language Department announced it is taking part in a new grant-funded program called Cherokee Nation Teacher Institute of Excellence, which combines the Teacher Bridge and Institute of Excellence programs.“(It) provides resources for our immersion teachers at the school to help them improve in terms of their Cherokee language abilities, teaching in content areas, teaching in Cherokee and working with the students,” Cherokee Immersion School Administrator Wyman Kirk said.On Jan. 30, Rules Committee members pushed forward resolutions confirming the reappointment of Fan Robinson to the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission; the nomination of Christie Harris to the CN Institutional Review Board; the reappointment of Eddie Morrison as an advisory committee m
