Accomplishments
| Accomplishments |
While our opponents say they “mean business,” or “it’s time to serve the people,” I can confidently say we have been doing business and serving the people in an effective and meaningful way for the last 12 years. Our opponents’ slogans are not solutions; they are hollow sayings designed to downplay the extraordinary progress the Cherokee Nation has made over the last 12 years. The Smith campaign believes in providing results, and the accomplishments below are just a few that demonstrate our commitment and promise to lead the business of the Cherokee people in the right direction.
Back in 1999, I campaigned on five promises, pledging that my administration would do the following:
Back in 1999, I campaigned on five promises, pledging that my administration would do the following:
- “Provide honest leadership that respects the Constitution and the Laws and Administer an Open Government”
- “Understand the needs of our people, encourage participation, and engage Cherokee communities in their government”
- “Provide job opportunities and expand our economies”
- “Improve and protect essential services of the Government on behalf of Cherokee people”
- “Preserve and promote the Culture, Heritage and Traditions"
Principal Chief Smith Has Done What He Said He Would Do...
- Championed a Free Press newspaper, open records and transparent government with print and video annual reports to the Cherokee people.
- Provided for a fiscally responsible government, with the Cherokee Nation earning nine consecutive awards for Excellence in Government Accounting.
- Encouraged the development of Cherokee communities with self help projects including 30 community buildings, 122 miles of water lines, and a partnership to build 650 miles of rural roads.
- Created over 5,000 jobs
- Promoted education with $20 million contributed to public schools and 23,000 college scholarships.
- Honored our elders with repairs for 4,200 homes, the construction of three elderly housing facilities, and the delivery of more than 384,000 meals for the Cherokee elderly.
- Worked to preserve our language and culture with 80 children in the Cherokee immersion school, over a thousand history and language classes, restored the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court building, dedicated money to purchase Cherokee art for all new construction, organized nationally acclaimed art markets, released eight youth Choir CDs exclusively in the Cherokee language and secured release of an application for the Cherokee syllabary on the iPhone
- Improved health care by tripling the patient visits per year and building or expanding clinics in Muskogee, Vinita, Bartlesville, Salina, Jay, Nowata, and Sallisaw, as well as taking over management of Hastings Hospital with $9 million in improvements. -Insured a stable and productive government as recognized with countless awards in Veterans Affairs, Social Work, Health, Community Development and Education.