Cherokee Nation’s Environmental Leadership | Opinion

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By means of Chuck Hoskin Jr

April 21, 2024

Guest opinion. Since time immemorial, Cherokees have understood that we must treat the land, the water, the air, and all living things that share these resources with great respect. Protecting our precious natural resources is deeply personal to me and Cherokee Nation First Lady January Hoskin.

With climate change becoming an increasing threat and the consequences of which we are already feeling, it has become even clearer that we cannot take our natural environment for granted. As Earth Day 2024 approaches, I want to recognize how Cherokee Nation is working to protect our environment for the next seven generations.

I recently signed an executive order that takes important steps to restrict the use of single-use plastics in our tribal government. We know that single-use plastics are poisoning our natural environment and that current recycling measures worldwide are not working. We, as Cherokees, can be part of the solution.

Actions include immediately eliminating the tribe’s Cherokee-branded plastic water bottles and replacing them with more sustainable aluminum alternatives. Effective October this year, we will ban the purchase of single-use plastics using tribal funds for internal and event use. Over the coming year, we will integrate even more sustainable options – aluminum or cardboard water bottles – into all our business activities.

We are also establishing the Cherokee Nation Youth Climate Change and Environmental Protection Task Force. Five Cherokee youth appointed to this task force will work to engage the community, conduct surveys and set examples as youth leaders tackling serious issues. The Youth Task Force embodies the Hoskin-Warner Administration’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.

In addition to empowering Cherokee youth, we plan to assemble a professional task force of internal experts from Cherokee Nation chapters. The panel – led by Minister of Natural Resources Christina Justice – will study our unique environmental challenges and recommend ambitious solutions.

Cherokee Nation will use grants from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct energy audits of tribal facilities, identify where we can reduce carbon emissions, and create strategic plans for further improvements.

We build on previous efforts in environmental protection. One of those cornerstones is the adoption of electric vehicles and electric charging stations within our 7,000 square kilometer reservation. This proactive infrastructure building helps reduce fossil fuel use and improve air quality. Cherokee Nation has also embraced solar energy. Many of our community buildings are equipped with solar panels to generate clean electricity and save on energy bills.

At the state level, we are advocating against HB 4118, which would remove important protections against water pollution from poultry waste. While Cherokee Nation supports local farmers, who are vital to our community and economy, we will oppose any bill that endangers our water and removes accountability for polluters.

Cherokee Nation leads by example in advancing a sustainable future, both locally and globally, for generations to come. Every day is an opportunity to honor and protect our planet, not just through grand gestures but through everyday actions. By combining science, service and sustainability, we are ready to make even more positive changes. On Earth Day, and every day, we remember the gratitude and careful stewardship for this planet we all share.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal leader of the Cherokee Nation.

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