State of the Nation

August 31 | 11 AM | Cherokee National Peace Pavilion

Cherokee Nation’s elected leaders report to the people. In their accounts are the recent accomplishments and goals of our sovereign Native American tribe. Watch the 2024 address and other State of the Nation addresses from recent years.

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principal chief chuck hoskin jr.

Chuck Hoskin Jr. serves as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribe in the United States with more than 460,000 citizens. Prior to being elected in 2019, and re-elected in 2023, he was Cherokee Nation’s Secretary of State and also served as a member and Deputy Speaker of the Council of the Cherokee Nation. As Principal Chief, he increased minimum wage at Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses and secured the largest language investment in the tribe’s history to expand Cherokee cultural preservation. He appointed the tribe’s first delegate to the U.S. Congress. He prioritized health and wellness initiatives, including record investments in behavioral health and addiction treatment. Chief Hoskin has also expanded tribal workforce training programs, sustainable housing, protections for natural resources, and educational opportunities for Cherokees of all ages. He, along with First Lady January Hoskin, has elevated the voices of women and children, and their safety, within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Deputy principal chief bryan warner

Bryan Warner was reelected in 2023 as the Deputy Principal Chief after previously being elected in 2019. Before becoming Deputy Chief, he represented District 6 on the Council of the Cherokee Nation. In his current role as Deputy Chief, he has been a strong advocate for cultural and language preservation, workforce training and personal and family wellness. A former educator, Deputy Chief Warner has helped secure more educational opportunities for Cherokees across the country, including higher education scholarships, public school support, STEM access and early childhood development. He is actively involved in the tribe’s rural economic development efforts and serves as co-chair of the Tribal Advisory Committee for the Center for Disease Control, where he has championed increasing programs and services related to behavioral health and addiction services.

Bryan Warner resides in Sallisaw with his wife Maco and their three sons.

speaker of the council mike shambaugh

In his second term as councilor for District 9, Speaker Mike Shambaugh has worked in law enforcement for 34 years and is currently the Police Chief of Jay, an elected position which he has held for the last 20 years.

Shambaugh is honored to serve the Cherokee citizens of District 9 as well as the Cherokee Nation. He feels health care, education, elder care and the preservation of our Cherokee culture are priorities. Shambaugh is a past board member of the Boys and Girls club, a participant in the Big Brother Program as well as the Mentor Program for Jay Public Schools. He is a current board member of the United Way for Delaware County and is a current monthly speaker for the Victims Impact Panel.

Historical Videos

Watch addresses made during past Holiday events.