Cherokee Nation Report Shows $3 Billion In Economic Impact

The Cherokee Nation released its economic impact report Monday, which shows it broke fiscal records with an economic impact of $3.04 billion.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr said he is proud to share this number and that claimed that the Cherokee Nation had doubled its economic impact in the last decade. He said there are a lot of ways to measure that impact, but measuring it in dollars is important.

"We take a snapshot of everything we do, all of the economic activity, all of the purchasing, all of the programs that are administered, all the investments that we make," he said.

The Cherokee Nation has invested in many things including education, healthcare, and infrastructure but Hoskin said the tribe was also there for citizens during the pandemic, with $2.07 billion in COVID relief impact.

"You see school getting funds, you see homes being built, you talk to people who go to our health system, hundreds of thousands of people who are feeling Cherokee Nation's impact in a positive way," he said.

He said he's proud of the Cherokee Nation and plans to see even more economic growth in the future.

"I think a year from now, two years from now, a decade from now, you are going to see this trajectory continue, and that's good for everyone," he said.

The University of Tulsa also announced a partnership with the Cherokee Nation to start an accelerated program this fall focusing on women in business.