Environmental Stewardship Is Community Wellness

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. emphasized the Cherokee Nation's generational commitment to environmental stewardship, underscoring its connection to community wellness. The Nation has implemented decisive actions, including the 2021 Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act, executive actions to reduce carbon emissions, and notably, a review of the environmental impact of data centers across the reservation. In 2024, the Cherokee Nation established a Youth Climate Change Task Force and a Clean Energy Task Force, integrating community and expert guidance into its sustainability agenda. These efforts have yielded significant results, such as avoiding nearly 1 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in 2025, generating over 145,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity across 16 community buildings, and advancing energy-efficient housing projects. Waste management initiatives, including composting and hazardous waste collection, also form a key part of their strategy. Building on this foundation, Chief Hoskin has proposed the "Cherokee Nation Energy and Sustainability Act of 2026" to the Council of the Cherokee Nation. This proposed legislation aims to provide a comprehensive framework for energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, and litter reduction. It includes the creation of a dedicated Office of Energy Programs within the Secretary of Natural Resources and sets clear, measurable goals for net reductions in energy and water use every three years, beginning in 2027. The act is designed to centralize energy policy and mandate ongoing reductions in resource consumption and waste, aligning environmental responsibility with the holistic well-being of Cherokee communities.