Cherokees donate nearly $5 million to help with bridge repair

I think it is wonderful that Cherokee Nation is helping the state to repair the bridges and roads..Way to go!!!!

I think it is wonderful too! I am Choctaw in the southeastern part of the state. I do not know that our tribe has been so generous with roads as this, but they do contribute and they do a lot for the schools as well. I know the Cherokee have also in their tribal areas.

Isn't it just giving the state back the money they have taken by issuing their own car tags and keeping that money for the tribe?
If they really want to help they should not skim profits from the state by making their own car tags, not paying sales taxes like everyone else, etc.
It's nice they "give" some of it back, but they also took it to begin with and I'm sure the state isn't coming out ahead on that deal or otherwise they wouldn't go through the hassle of making the tags, etc.

Almost every blacktop county road in Delaware and Cherokee counties (I can't speak for the other counties around here) were built by the Cherokee Nation. They also operate a heavy equipment school that give new skills to their unemployed and puts them to work, building those roads and bridges. If it was left up to our county commissioners, they would still be dirt and poorly graded at that. So almost every mile of two lane non-highway blacktop our residents and school buses run on, is thanks to the Cherokee Nation. They either paid for it, or built it, or both.

While they do a lot just for their own people, they also do quite a bit for their area neighbors and schools too. I don't agree with everything about it all, but it is what it is, and whining about it, is not going to change it. Their sovereignty was affirmed by treaty. Do we break another one, just because it is inconvenient or resented by some? If the US Government of this time period were to break an Indian treaty, as meaningless, then they may do the same to our Constitution. Thus taking away YOUR and MY rights and privileges. So don't complain Mr Realist, it could be a whole lot worse.

The money they have been making off the casnios that has helped other communities also. Enigma have you been reading about the Cherokee Freedmen issue with the tribe ,and Congress may vote to stop funding to the tribe account the Cherokee Nation took a vote to kick out the Black tribal members that during the Dawes enrollment did'n't or were nt allowed to put down the degree of blood. This is under treaty rights with the United States and the C.N.

it would be great if they would fix snake creek road in locust grove, they was supposed to fix it, and put down some chip and gravel, but every time it rains the road comes apart.

i was not born in oklahoma and i am a firm believer in equal opportunity. my point is how can cherokee nation get away with employing with a cherokee preference but african american employers can not say african american preference? or if the caucasion people opened a clinic and said only caucasion people can take advantage of their services. i know this is indian land but i think this is discrimination.

You are absolutely correct why, it is absolutely dicrimination, and why the indian nations are protected by their idian charters set in motion centuries ago is still anyones guess. The Cherokee Nations regimist policies, with their laughable health care have been bringing my fellow Oklahomans down for years, and Willie, don't for one second think their using their reportable profits from their Casino Enterprises to help....no no no, they will use taxpayer dollars to do this, and report it as a taxable donation on their casino revenues to make up for losses in other casinos and still come out ahead. Is this fraudulent? Yes. But living and breathing under the protection of their charter gives them immunity from any federal investigation. Sorry, I'm ranting now, but I just wanted to shed a small light on the possibilities or probabilities of this so called good samaritan act.

why wrote:

i was not born in oklahoma and i am a firm believer in equal opportunity. my point is how can cherokee nation get away with employing with a cherokee preference but african american employers can not say african american preference? or if the caucasion people opened a clinic and said only caucasion people can take advantage of their services. i know this is indian land but i think this is discrimination.

The Cherokee Nation does profess Cherokee preference in employmemt; but, believe me, as a former employee of the Nation, this policy is just a front. Many who work for the Nation are not Cherokee. It's who you know, not who you are.

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is a very powerful tribe, financially and politically. Their leaders are determined to exert that power; and, unlike the Creeks and Osage, they will go to any lenghths to do so.

why wrote:

i was not born in oklahoma and i am a firm believer in equal opportunity. my point is how can cherokee nation get away with employing with a cherokee preference but african american employers can not say african american preference? or if the caucasion people opened a clinic and said only caucasion people can take advantage of their services. i know this is indian land but i think this is discrimination.

i hear what you are saying and i firmly agree, i worked with a young man here in Sequoyah County last year and he was of course over 18 he was 20 or 21 i beleive and he has been going to either legal or medical school and he could not get one ounce of help from the system as far as grants,scholorships, etc..they asked if he was indian ,afro-american etc and he answered no, i am caucasian and they advised him there was no help for him . now this is a hard working , very respectful young man trying to make it thru life on his own,willing to work hard days or nights and do schooling right the opposite whatever the shifts ,and he cant catch a break!! I told him, its a shame ,because you are a regular caucasion(white boy) you cant get any help!!! Now talk about discrimination? i kinda feel that is quite a case of it right there!I just get so tried of hearing all the other nationalities of people crying about it all the time and then to hear this from this young fellow makes me wonder,whats wrong with this world today!
but hey thats "JMO" and that is what these forums are for if im not mistaken!Just glad i dont get upset and ignorant over this kind of stuff like so many do!

nicholson72 wrote:

<quoted text>
The Cherokee Nation does profess Cherokee preference in employmemt; but, believe me, as a former employee of the Nation, this policy is just a front. Many who work for the Nation are not Cherokee. It's who you know, not who you are.
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is a very powerful tribe, financially and politically. Their leaders are determined to exert that power; and, unlike the Creeks and Osage, they will go to any lenghths to do so.

I agree with this comment.It is a front.I now work at the Cherokee Nation.We have caucasion,african american,cherokee and we have also a man from India.What I have notice where I work the higher paying jobs are going to the caucasion people. As for the Cherokee Health Clinics,its not all free.If you happen to have work insurance they will bill your insurance.So actually they are not paying for much of anything. My experience with getting help from the Nation begain a few years ago when I went tru a ugly situation and had no place to live, I asked for a bit of help to get me started and this is what was told to me,"we have no program for people like you" so I asked ok what kind of people am I? Answer was: Your a single lady with no dependants. So it does not benefit the Cherokees,oh yes,I am 1/2 Cherokee

The Cherokee " The beer can tribe " Will not even disclose the odds of there of winnings in there casinos.Putting it to the white,black,asisn,hispanic and all the rest of us. You are going to spend the 5 million on bridge repair. I want an itemized report. the tribe got 5 times that in federal stimulus funds. The Catoosa casino that you sold out to the Las Vegas Mob is a great example of pork belly and money laundering. I am a proud Cherokee man. And am tired of the B.S.

LoL about the beer can tribe,and heard that b.s. before, but when your the king of beers it happens. Guess your tribe likes to love everyone.
Las Vegas Mob? Where the proof, you and others always talking this b.s. but never can prove a thing.

If the casinos can show indian preference, free housing, per capita pymts, free land, free food, free medical; and blacks can have African-American History Month, the NAACP, Oprah Winfrey, and now Barack Obama; the Asians can have Asian Clubs and every nail salon in the country; the Latinos have their Latino/Hispanic Clubs; WHY IS IT the "WHITE" PEOPLE can't be proud of our culture/heritage without being called a racist? Wonder how the other races would like it if we opened a Casino and only allowed "white" people to work with a few token "darkies" as they refer to us? My mindset is that if Geronimo or a freed slave is alive, give them what they deserve but anyone that is my age should have to work just like I do for what they get. They have the same two hands, same school and work opportunities that I do and shouldn't get handouts just because their great-great-great ancestors had a hard life. Mine did too and I don't get shit handed to me because I'm white but guess what? If I can't earn it, I don't want it!! There is a sense of pride in knowing that you accomplished your goal by yourself and did not need anyone to give you a "handout". I believe that everyone should be required to walk the same line and if guidance is available for one race, it should be available for all! A help up to someone in need is far different than an expected handout just because of your skin color. Just my opinion but it really irks me.

Mr Realist wrote:

Isn't it just giving the state back the money they have taken by issuing their own car tags and keeping that money for the tribe?
If they really want to help they should not skim profits from the state by making their own car tags, not paying sales taxes like everyone else, etc.
It's nice they "give" some of it back, but they also took it to begin with and I'm sure the state isn't coming out ahead on that deal or otherwise they wouldn't go through the hassle of making the tags, etc.

SKIM...Mr. Realist, have you ever heard of the Trail of Tears?

why wrote:

i was not born in oklahoma and i am a firm believer in equal opportunity. my point is how can cherokee nation get away with employing with a cherokee preference but african american employers can not say african american preference? or if the caucasion people opened a clinic and said only caucasion people can take advantage of their services. i know this is indian land but i think this is discrimination.

Why, Ever heard of a Treaty?

enlighted one wrote:

You are absolutely correct why, it is absolutely dicrimination, and why the indian nations are protected by their idian charters set in motion centuries ago is still anyones guess. The Cherokee Nations regimist policies, with their laughable health care have been bringing my fellow Oklahomans down for years, and Willie, don't for one second think their using their reportable profits from their Casino Enterprises to help....no no no, they will use taxpayer dollars to do this, and report it as a taxable donation on their casino revenues to make up for losses in other casinos and still come out ahead. Is this fraudulent? Yes. But living and breathing under the protection of their charter gives them immunity from any federal investigation. Sorry, I'm ranting now, but I just wanted to shed a small light on the possibilities or probabilities of this so called good samaritan act.

Enlighted One, centuries ago, check your history!!!