Cherokee Nation presents $7.6 million to school districts
CATOOSA, Okla. (KFOR) — On Tuesday, as part of the tribe's annual Public School Appreciation Day, the Cherokee Nation presented $7.6 million to 107 school districts.
The funds are generated from the tribe's Motor Vehicle Tag legislation and compact with the state of Oklahoma.
The tribe handles its own tag agency, issuing registration and titles for the Cherokee Nation citizens who live in the Reservation and throughout Oklahoma.
The Cherokee Nation distributes 38% of its yearly revenue from car tags towards education. They also designate 20% for roads and bridges, and give a percentage to law enforcement.
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Here is a list of totals by county of how the funds were distributed:
Adair County – $581,472.02
Cherokee County – $1,026,519.19
Craig County – $177,085.67
Delaware County – $538,367.10
Mayes County – $552,587.28
Muskogee County – $757,002.35
Nowata County – $95,097.45
Ottawa County – $125,093.14
Osage County – $6,887.90
Rogers County – $743,893.13
Sequoyah County – $664,126.81
Tulsa County – $1,757,525.28
Wagoner County – $294,179.56
Washington County – $273,294.07
Since 2002, the tribe has given $99.7 million to public schools located in the Cherokee Nation Reservation and neighboring counties.
'We made clear from the beginning that we wouldn't cave to demands for a one-size-fits all car tag compact with the state that ignored the unique needs of tribes and overrides tribal sovereignty – and that a fair compact was one that benefitted both the Cherokee Nation and all Oklahomans, and that is evident today as we can support our schools and classrooms,' Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. 'To date, our Cherokee Nation Motor Vehicle Tag Compact has stood as a model, helping our tribe thrive, exercising our sovereign rights and helping our neighbors achieve – especially our public schools, and youth, who will be our future leaders.'
Tuesday brought superintendents from across the Reservation for an appreciation luncheon and to receive checks from the tribe for their school districts.
'The Cherokee Nation continues to be an excellent partner in our communities, especially public schools and education, which has always been at the forefront of our tribe,' Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner said. 'The funds from the sales of our tribal car tags provide our teachers what they need in their classrooms and directly invests into the next generation.'
School districts can decide how they will use the money from the Cherokee Nation, with school districts in the past choosing to use the money to cover the salaries of teachers, to upgrade school facilities, support operations, expand technology, and to strengthen school programs.
'The support of Cherokee Nation citizens and the hard work of our Cherokee Nation Tax Commission staff have continued to help us make a significant financial impact to our schools,' Cherokee Nation Tax Commission Administrator Sharon Swepston said. 'Each year, the tax commission is very proud to play a role in helping schools throughout Northeastern Oklahoma leave positive and lasting impacts on students and communities.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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