OPINION: The future is bright for Cherokee Nation Health Services at Claremore
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Cherokee Nation to build $255.5 million health center in Claremore
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed the Cherokee Nation Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center Act of 2025 on Thursday. The bill authorizes $255.5 million to build a new Claremore health facility, which will house a state-of-the-art outpatient center, emergency room, and wellness center. The tribe will also invest approximately $11 million into the Claremore Indian Hospital to meet minimum healthcare standards. The new health center will open in 2027 and be built to be expandable to include an inpatient tower in the future if the need arises. The current Claremore hospital was built in 1930 and replaced in 1978, meeting 1980s standards and replacing the original Depression-era building. The hospital has fewer than four patients staying per night for treatment; most patients who need inpatient care are being transferred elsewhere, Hoskin said. The Emergency Department handles over 2 million patient visits per year across 11 health facilities in Indian Country. The Cherokee Nation operates the largest health system in Indian country.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed the Cherokee Nation Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center Act of 2025 on Thursday.
This authorizes $255.5 million to build a new Claremore health facility, which will house a state-of-the-art outpatient center, emergency room, and wellness center.
Signing ceremony for the Cherokee Nation Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center Act of 2025 on Thursday, April 26, in Tahlequah.
The tribe will also invest approximately $11 million into the Claremore Indian Hospital to meet minimum healthcare standards, as the latest replacement is being constructed.
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Along with budgeting for the new Claremore facility, Thursday’s legislation also calls for an inpatient expansion analysis to be conducted biennially, beginning with Fiscal Year 2026, and for the tribe to create basic renderings depicting the potential future inpatient unit.
The tribe assumed operations of Claremore Indian Hospital in October. It was built in 1930 and replaced in 1978.
Mike Shambaugh, Cherokee Nation Speaker of the Council, said making tough but essential decisions for the Cherokee people is often necessary.
“In this case, it is easy to see that replacing the Claremore Indian Hospital and bringing it under the operations of Cherokee Nation Health Services will make generational impacts for Native families in Northeast Oklahoma,” said Shambaugh.
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Although the Cherokee Nation’s replacement facility will eliminate the inpatient operations currently at the federal facility, the new health center will open in 2027 and be built to be expandable to include an inpatient tower in the future if the need arises.
The current Claremore Indian Hospital is landlocked from potential expansion, Hoskin said.
“Cherokee Nation leaders have had to face the facts about that federal facility: it is in deplorable shape and is a shameful reflection of the federal government’s failed priorities and treaty obligations.” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“But there is a bright future thanks to Cherokee Nation,” said Hoskin. “This requires leadership, a willingness to take on the federal government over its shameful neglect of Claremore, and the ability to make tough decisions with forethought. That is why the future of Cherokee Nation Health Services in Claremore is bright.”
Claremore Indian Hospital was cutting edge in 1978, meeting 1980s standards and replacing the original Depression-era building.
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“For 47 years, the federal Indian Health Service shielded Claremore from scrutiny by keeping it at 1980s health care facility standards,” said Hoskin.
During that period, Indian Health Services chose not to conduct routine maintenance measures or initiate vital changes that could have prevented the decline of the hospital, he said.
“Claremore’s inpatient services are wasteful,” said Hoskin. “The hospital has fewer than four patients staying per night for treatment; most patients who need inpatient care are being transferred elsewhere. Because of this, there are fewer health resources for our growing and aging population.”
“What patients may see at Claremore on the surface is simply a facade,”
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Hoskin said the building is plagued with “spongy walls damaged by water” and untreated air leaks into sanitized patient spaces, and HVAC systems are on the brink of failure.
“We learned no one tests the breakers out of fear they will not turn back on, and the generator will fail,” said Hoskin. “These issues are simply unacceptable”.
These observations, along with more than eight months of careful study, is why Hoskin said Cherokee Nation must assume operations at Claremore.
“We want to give patients and staff the type of facility they deserve … We want to protect them from what is, frankly, a dangerous situation created by the federal government.”
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Cherokee Nation is also developing area partnerships for a seamless in-patient experience for patients. The Emergency Department will remain in operation, along with prenatal care.
Under federal law and regulations, federal employees at Claremore Indian Hospital who decline employment with Cherokee Nation, or who may be among the 10 positions that will be eliminated in total, enjoy a number of federal benefits, including severance packages.
Cherokee Nation operates the largest health system in Indian Country. The system handles over 2 million patient visits per year across 11 health facilities. Two of those facilities – the Salina Amo Health Center and W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah – are being replaced by new, larger state-of-the-art facilities.
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Leading the Way in Rare Disease Advocacy
Cherokee Nation is hosting its second annual Rare Disease Summit. The event is hosted by Cherokee Nation Health Services and championed by First Lady January Hoskin. The National Institutes of Health classifies any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the country as rare. The battle isn’t just against the disease itself, but also against isolation, misinformation and a health care system unequipped to meet their unique needs, says Chuck Hoskin, Jr., the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We’ve prioritized inclusivity and equity in health care by creating space where individuals and families impacted by rare diseases feel seen, heard and supported,” he says. ” Cherokee Nation is not only transforming lives within our 7,000-square-mile reservation but also setting an example for other health systems to follow,” says Hoskin Jr. “Even the rarest conditions deserve compassionate care and support,” he adds. “The First Lady, who has shared her experience as a rare disease patient, represents the resilience of individuals who refuse to be invisible in the national health system”
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Details By Chuck Hoskin Jr June 15, 2025
Guest Opinion. The path forward for rare disease patients and their families historically has been rocky, littered with systemic gaps in education, awareness and care. Yet, today, Cherokee Nation is setting a different precedent, shining a spotlight on rare disease advocacy with our second annual Rare Disease Summit.
This event, hosted by Cherokee Nation Health Services and championed by Cherokee Nation First Lady January Hoskin, is a welcoming gathering and inspiring call to action for a long-overlooked population.
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Rare diseases may seem uncommon, but collectively, they impact 1 in 10 people in Oklahoma alone and affect countless more across the nation. The National Institutes of Health classifies any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the country as rare, and these are conditions that over 90% of the time lack FDA-approved treatments. For affected individuals and their families, the battle isn’t just against the disease itself, but also against isolation, misinformation and a health care system unequipped to meet their unique needs.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.
Our approach to this issue recognizes that even the rarest conditions deserve compassionate care and support. The inaugural Rare Disease Summit last year set a successful blueprint for us, bringing experts, advocates and families together to confront these pressing issues.
Now in its second year, the educational gathering aims to build upon that momentum, fostering collaboration and amplifying the voices of those impacted. With specialists in neurology, rheumatology and other fields leading discussions, the event offers attendees not just knowledge but actionable paths to improving care.
Cherokee Nation takes a holistic approach to improving care for people with a rare disease, combining medical expertise, policy advocacy, internal fiscal and staffing resources, and community collaborations. From assigning dedicated case managers at Cherokee Nation Health Services for rare disease patients to establishing a Rare Disease Committee, our model prioritizes both immediate support today and long-term systemic change for the future.
This initiative is deeply personal. The First Lady, who has shared her experience as a rare disease patient, represents the resilience of individuals who refuse to be invisible in the national health care system. Her story reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a person with challenges and a will to thrive.
We’ve prioritized inclusivity and equity in health care by creating space where individuals and families impacted by rare diseases feel seen, heard and supported. Cherokee Nation is not only transforming lives within our 7,000-square-mile reservation but also setting an example for other health systems to follow. Together, we have an opportunity to amplify the voices of patients and families and move from awareness to action. Cherokee Nation may be at the forefront of supporting people with a rare disease, but we hope that our efforts encourage many others to follow suit across Oklahoma, Indian Country, the United States and worldwide.
Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
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Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: “Cultivating Culture,” a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization. The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren’t just cultural preservation efforts—they’re powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience. Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We’ll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination. This isn’t corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It’s “Warrior Journalism”—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores. We need your help right now. While we’ve secured partial funding, we’re still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve. Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it’s $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don’t disappear into silence. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told. Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter. Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
“No Kings” Rallies Across America: This What Democracy Looks Like to Me
Levi Rickert: “No Kings” protests were a powerful and unifying demonstration. He says the protests were not merely acts of dissent but affirmations of the core values that define our republic. Rickert says the “No King” movement is a counterpoint to the militarization of the government and party lines. The protests were organized by a coalition of over 100 organizations, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Communications Workers of America, he says. The timing of the protests coincided with President Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and 250th birthday of the Civil War. The price tag for these events, featuring tanks, helicopters and fireworks, will cost between $25 million and $45 million. The “NoKings” movement has a core call for accountability for its core principles. It is a call to reclaim the democratic ideals that have long been the bedrock of American society, Rickert writes, and not just for the president.
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Details By Levi Rickert June 16, 2025
Opinion. After I left the Homecoming of the Three Fires Powwow on Saturday afternoon, I got caught in a traffic jam as I drove through downtown Grand Rapids.
Traffic was backed up because more than 10,000 “No Kings” rally protesters marched on sidewalks on both sides of Monroe Avenue. Chants of “This is what democracy looks like!” and “No Kings!” filled the air. The protest was peaceful. There was no riot. As a matter of fact, I saw a cluster of Grand Rapids Police officers smiling and waving at the marchers.
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Borrowing from the chant, this is what democracy looks like to me.
Several protesters carried the American flag, perhaps to let MAGA folks know that the flag belongs to all of us. They do not define what patriotism is or what democracy looks like. A few others in the crowd waved the Mexican flag, similar to what I have seen at Mexican festivals in Grand Rapids in years past. The Mexican flags did not seem threatening or offensive to me, perhaps because I am so accustomed to seeing tribal flags carried at powwows out of pride and representation for tribal nations.
This is what democracy looks like to me.
Taking to the streets in a town that once voted mainly Republican, but voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, to show resistance to what protesters viewed as authoritarian overreach, gave me a deep sense of pride. The “No Kings” protest in downtown Grand Rapids was a powerful and unifying demonstration against perceived authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms under the current administration.
This is what democracy looks like to me.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, Washington state House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Stearns, a tribal citizen of the Navajo Nation, attended a No Kings rally in Auburn, Wash. He carried a sign that read: “No Kings: Remember Magna Carta 1215” — a reference to the document in English history that limited the power of the monarchy and established the principle that even the king was subject to the law.
Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Stearns (D) at “No Kings” rally in Auburn, Wash. (Photo/Facebook)
At the Auburn rally were tribal members wearing ribbon skirts. One Native woman’s sign read: “No One is Illegal on Stolen Land.”
This is what democracy looks like to me.
On Saturday, across America, there were over 2,000 “No Kings” rallies with millions of people protesting. Thousands gathered in front of the Los Angeles City Hall, holding signs and listening to the rhythms of a Native American drum circle before marching through the streets. These protests were not merely acts of dissent but affirmations of the core values that define our republic.
The “No Kings” protests were organized by a coalition of over 100 organizations, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Communications Workers of America. The demonstrations were a direct response to what many viewed as an alarming consolidation of power and disregard for democratic principles by President Donald Trump and his allies.
Participants in cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta and New Orleans carried signs reading “No Kings,” “Democracy, Not Dynasty,” and “Resist Fascism.” In New York City alone, approximately 50,000 marchers filled Fifth Avenue, chanting and waving flags, despite inclement weather.
These protests were not confined to urban centers. In smaller towns and rural areas, citizens gathered to voice their concerns about issues such as immigration enforcement, political violence and civil liberties. The widespread participation underscored a collective desire to reclaim the democratic ideals that have long been the bedrock of American society.
The timing of the protests was significant. June 14 coincided with President Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. In Washington, D.C., a grand military parade was held to celebrate these events, featuring tanks, helicopters and fireworks. The price tag for such a display will cost taxpayers between $25 million to $45 million.
For many, this display was emblematic of a troubling trend: the militarization of government and the blurring of lines between state and party.
The “No Kings” protests served as a counterpoint to this display, reminding the nation that power derives from the people, not from military might or executive decree.
This is what democracy looks like to me.
At its core, the “No Kings” movement is a call for accountability. It is a demand that elected officials uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law, and govern with transparency and integrity. The protests highlighted concerns over executive overreach, the undermining of democratic institutions, and the prioritization of corporate interests over the welfare of citizens.
The tragic events in Minnesota, where two Democratic legislators and their spouses were shot, underscored the stakes of this struggle. While “No Kings” flyers were found in the suspect’s car, authorities said there were no direct links to the protests. The violence served as a stark reminder of the dangers of political polarization and the need for a return to civility and respect in public discourse.
The “No Kings” protests were a powerful reminder that democracy is not a passive institution but an active and ongoing endeavor. They demonstrated that when citizens perceive threats to their freedoms and values, they will rise up to defend them.
As we move forward, it is imperative that the voices of those who participated in these protests are heard and respected.
As I drove to downtown Grand Rapids, I wondered how many of the protesters will vote in the upcoming mid-term elections. I remembered the words of former President Barack Obama: “Don’t boo. VOTE!”
Voting is what democracy looks like to me!
Thayék gde nwéndëmen – We are all related.
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The Big Ugly Bill Attacks Tribes, Our Lands, and Our Rights
The U.S. Senate has added an attack on Tribal sovereignty to it’s Big Ugly Budget. If passed, this provision would put over 250 million acres of public land, across 11 states, up for sale. The money from the sales funding massive tax handouts to the rich and corporations. Sacred places, burial grounds, medicinal plant habitats, and wildlife corridors could be sold to developers. The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge.Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions. Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet. We’re still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it’s $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don’t disappear into silence.
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Guest Opinion. The U.S. Senate has added an attack on Tribal Sovereignty to it’s Big Ugly Budget.
If passed, this provision would put over 250 million acres of public land, across 11 states, up for sale — mandating the sale of at least 3 million of those acres. They want to open federal land — including Tribal land — for fossil fuel and mineral exploration, extraction, and foreign interests, while claiming to open it up for infrastructure and housing development.
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This would represent the largest sale of national public lands in modern history while failing to give sovereign Tribal Nations the right of first refusal to bid on these lands, even for areas that are a part of Tribes’ traditional homelands or contain sacred sites critical to ceremonies, nutrition, medicine, and environmental stewardship.
And why is the federal government considering the sale of hundreds of millions of acres of land? This proposed sale would directly benefit fossil fuel and mining corporations, and land developers with the money from the sales funding massive tax handouts to the rich and corporations.
This bill would impact cherished public lands — including Tribal lands — in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, and Wyoming. It threatens National Parks like Zion National Park in Utah and Yosemite National Park in California by selling land adjacent to the National Parks to fossil fuel and mining corporations — forever destroying land that Native peoples have stewarded since the beginning of time.
These proposed land sales would include no public hearings or formal process by which Tribes and the general public could challenge land sales. Sacred places, burial grounds, medicinal plant habitats, and wildlife corridors could be sold to developers and destroyed.
We paid for the right to Free Prior and Informed Consent with our blood and our land. Now they want to trample those treaty rights for corporate profit.
Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund, whixh is a partner to Native Organizers Alliance.
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Same Old Story: Trump Budget Delivers Symbolic Gestures Instead of Real Investment in Indian Health
The proposed $8.1 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) may look like progress on the surface. Most of the “increase” comes from mandatory spending tied to contract support costs and facility leases. IHS has stated it needs $9.5 billion in fiscal year 2026 to meet baseline health care needs for Native communities. The budget includes modest gains in specific areas like dental services ($5 million), and Purchased/Referred Care ($6 million) But these are crumbs when compared to the real need. Native people still die younger, get sicker more often, and face more barriers to care than any other group in the United States. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees must work-in-hand with Tribal nations to ensure that the budget lives up to promises made generations ago. The least we can expect in 2025 is a budget that does not treat our lives, our future, and our families’ lives as half-kept promises, says Levi Rickert, a member of the Haudenosaunee tribe.
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Details By Levi Rickert June 02, 2025
Opinion. The Trump administration released new details about its 2026 budget, which includes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Budget in Brief. As with past budgets, this document was rolled out with the usual talking points: commitment to tribal sovereignty, honoring federal trust obligations, and improving health outcomes for Native people.
But reading between the lines — and looking at the numbers — reveals a familiar story: symbolic gestures, flat funding, and broken promises.
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The proposed $8.1 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) may look like progress on the surface, but Tribal leaders and health advocates know better. Most of the “increase” comes from mandatory spending tied to contract support costs and facility leases — obligations the federal government is legally bound to fulfill. That’s not new investment. That’s just keeping the lights on.
And it’s not even enough to do that. IHS has stated it needs $9.5 billion in fiscal year 2026 to meet baseline health care needs for Native communities — a figure that far exceeds the administration’s proposal.
Even more troubling is what’s missing: advance appropriations for IHS. Despite years of advocacy from tribal leaders, health care providers, and bipartisan support in Congress during the Biden administration, the Trump administration sidesteps this critical provision. It’s a glaring omission that puts Native lives at risk.
When the federal government shuts down — which has happened more than once in recent years — every federal health program continues to operate with funding in place. Every program, that is, except the Indian Health Service (IHS). Advance appropriations insulates the IHS from political gridlock, ensuring consistent healthcare delivery regardless of Washington dysfunction.
To omit this is not just an oversight — it’s a betrayal of the federal trust responsibility.
While the budget includes modest gains in specific areas like dental services ($5 million), mental health ($1 million), and Purchased/Referred Care ($6 million), these are crumbs when compared to the real need. They do not even begin to address the chronic underfunding that has plagued IHS for decades. Native people still die younger, get sicker more often, and face more barriers to care than any other group in the United States. These are not statistics. They are lives. Our relatives.
There are some bright spots. The new $80 million Native American Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Program provides much-needed investment in culturally grounded mental health and addiction services. But even this feels like a half-step forward while the ground erodes beneath our feet.
The reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at current levels is a win for Indian Country, though the administration had initially proposed a funding decrease. That proposal should never have been on the table. SDPI is one of the most effective public health programs ever implemented in Native communities, and cutting it would have been an act of cruelty disguised as fiscal restraint.
Beyond IHS, deeper cuts across HHS — including a $17 billion reduction to the National Institutes of Health — raise further alarms. Research into Native-specific health disparities, maternal health, and chronic disease prevention could be set back years. Meanwhile, proposals to eliminate or relocate programs like the CDC’s Healthy Tribes and to transfer Native Elder Services to the Administration for Children and Families seem to move us backward in both visibility and autonomy.
These changes may appear bureaucratic, but the ripple effects are felt in our tribal communities: fewer grants, less support, and more confusion about where to turn for culturally appropriate services.
To its credit, the Trump administration has reiterated its support for tribal sovereignty and self-governance throughout the process. Words matter. But actions matter more.
If this administration is serious about honoring its trust responsibility, it must do more than acknowledge tribal nations in budget footnotes. It must listen — truly listen — to the voices of tribal leaders who have long made clear what is needed: sustained investments, structural reforms, and respect for Native self-determination.
Congress now has the opportunity — and responsibility — to fix what this budget got wrong. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees must work hand-in-hand with Tribal nations, not around them, to ensure that the final fiscal 2026 budget lives up to the promises this country made generations ago.
We know as tribal nations, our people have endured centuries of broken treaties and half-kept promises. The least we can expect — and demand — in 2025 is a budget that does not treat our lives, our health, and our future as the ongoing “Indian problem.”
Thayék gde nwéndëmen – We are all related.
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