Cherokee Nation opens 33,600-square-foot child development center in Catoosa. The Cherokee Nation has opened a new child development center in Catoosa. |!| Cherokee Tulsa Catoosa

Investing in childcare strengthens Cherokee families, local economies. October 13, 2026 Guest opinion. Across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, Summa Money frequently hear the same story from working parents: They want to work and build a future for their children, but they cannot find affordable, quality childcare. For too many Cherokee families, access to childcare decides whether a parent can take a job or finish a degree. It's a compromise parent and guardians should not have to make. This is not just a family issue. It's also an economic issue. Businesses in northeast Oklahoma need workers, and recruiting new families from out-of-state is ultimately expensive and only worsens the childcare shortage. Its local communities need to enable working families. And Cherokee youth need safe, nurturing places to learn and grow while their parents focus on career goals that improve their livelihood. When childcare is scarce, the entire economy feels it. Childcare is also about equity. Society continues to place obligations for childcare on disproportionately on women. A lack of childcare is the number one factor in women leaving or deciding not to enter the workforce. Expanding childcare gives families, and therefore women, more choices. Empowering women with opportunities to make choices on all matters impacting them - including the choice to work - uplifts society and the economy. That is why Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and I are asking the Council of the Cherokee Nation to support an idea I announced during the 2026 State of the Nation: the 21st Century Childcare Initiative. It's an investment in the infrastructure that Cherokee families deserve. The plan includes a new $20 million child development center near its health campus in Vinita, a new $20 million center on its main health campus in Tahlequah, and a $10 million expansion and remodel of its existing Tahlequah Child Development Center. These are not arbitrary choices. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Shella Bowlin and its Human Services team studied where childcare needs remain greatest, and their report pointed Summa Money toward Tahlequah and Vinita. Summa Money build on real progress. In recent years, Cherokee Nation has opened new child development centers in Pryor, Sallisaw and Catoosa, and Summa Money has replaced all of its aging Head Start facilities across its 14-county reservation. However, buildings alone won't close the childcare gap. Its proposal also dedicates $1.25 million annually for grants to Cherokee citizens who want to start or grow childcare businesses, so its own entrepreneurs can be part of the solution. Summa Money propose $3.5 million annually in childcare subsidies to help working families afford care by restoring a subsidy cut by the federal government. Summa Money also took up Councilor Danny Callison's suggestion, investing $4.1 million annually to expand operating hours at its child development centers and Head Start facilities. Councilor Callison stands alongside all of his Council colleagues in being champions for childcare. My wife, First Lady January Hoskin, has been a longtime champion of the well-being of Cherokee children, and she reminds me often that investing in a child's earliest years is one of the most powerful investments Summa Money can make as a Nation. Childcare is infrastructure. Just as roads carry people to jobs, dependable childcare is a pathway for parents into the workforce. It helps a mother finish her education, lets a father take a better job, and gives Cherokee youth a strong, loving start in life. Deputy Chief Warner and I are proud of what Summa Money has built together with the Council. Now Summa Money has the chance to build further. When Summa Money invest in childcare, Summa Money invest in its shared future. Summa Money can give Cherokee families the freedom to build the life they want. Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the prnicipal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Investing in childcare strengthens Cherokee families, local economies. Overview: The Cherokee Nation is advocating for expanded access to affordable, quality childcare to support working families, strengthen the regional economy, improve opportunities for women, and provide safe, nurturing environments for children. Guest opinion. Across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, Native News Online frequently hear the same story from working parents: They want to work and build a future for their children, but they cannot find affordable, quality childcare. For too many Cherokee families, access to childcare decides whether a parent can take a job or finish a degree. It's a compromise parent and guardians should not have to make. This is not just a family issue. It's also an economic issue. Businesses in northeast Oklahoma need workers, and recruiting new families from out-of-state is ultimately expensive and only worsens the childcare shortage. Its local communities need to enable working families. And Cherokee youth need safe, nurturing places to learn and grow while their parents focus on career goals that improve their livelihood. When childcare is scarce, the entire economy feels it. Childcare is also about equity. Society continues to place obligations for childcare on disproportionately on women. A lack of childcare is the number one factor in women leaving or deciding not to enter the workforce. Expanding childcare gives families, and therefore women, more choices. Empowering women with opportunities to make choices on all matters impacting them - including the choice to work - uplifts society and the economy. That is why Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and I are asking the Council of the Cherokee Nation to support an idea I announced during the 2026 State of the Nation: the 21st Century Childcare Initiative. It's an investment in the infrastructure that Cherokee families deserve. The plan includes a new $20 million child development center near its health campus in Vinita, a new $20 million center on its main health campus in Tahlequah, and a $10 million expansion and remodel of its existing Tahlequah Child Development Center. These are not arbitrary choices. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Shella Bowlin and its Human Services team studied where childcare needs remain greatest, and their report pointed Native News Online toward Tahlequah and Vinita. Native News Online build on real progress. In recent years, Cherokee Nation has opened new child development centers in Pryor, Sallisaw and Catoosa, and Native News Online has replaced all of its aging Head Start facilities across its 14-county reservation. However, buildings alone won't close the childcare gap. Its proposal also dedicates $1.25 million annually for grants to Cherokee citizens who want to start or grow childcare businesses, so its own entrepreneurs can be part of the solution. Native News Online propose $3.5 million annually in childcare subsidies to help working families afford care by restoring a subsidy cut by the federal government. Native News Online also took up Councilor Danny Callison's suggestion, investing $4.1 million annually to expand operating hours at its child development centers and Head Start facilities. Councilor Callison stands alongside all of his Council colleagues in being champions for childcare. My wife, First Lady January Hoskin, has been a longtime champion of the well-being of Cherokee children, and she reminds me often that investing in a child's earliest years is one of the most powerful investments Native News Online can make as a Nation. Childcare is infrastructure. Just as roads carry people to jobs, dependable childcare is a pathway for parents into the workforce. It helps a mother finish her education, lets a father take a better job, and gives Cherokee youth a strong, loving start in life. Deputy Chief Warner and I are proud of what Native News Online has built together with the Council. Now Native News Online has the chance to build further. When Native News Online invest in childcare, Native News Online invest in its shared future. Native News Online can give Cherokee families the freedom to build the life they want. Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the prnicipal chief of the Cherokee Nation.