"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Council Approves Tobacco Compact

Cherokee Nation Chiefs recognized four Vietnam War veterans at the monthly Tribal Council meeting. Pictured are Principal Chief Chad Smith, Dr. Shelly Butler-Allen, honoree Dr. Richard Allen, and Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted unanimously to approve a new tobacco compact with the State of Oklahoma. The new compact puts forth a flat rate of $6.65 total tax per carton of cigarettes.

“It brings to closure the four years of conflict over the existing compact agreement and will conclude the State’s arbitration process,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Several smoke shop business owners attended the Council meeting and thanked Chief Smith and the Cherokee Nation for the work done on the negotiation phase of the new compact.

Lee Levinson of Tulsa said he appreciated the effort Smith made to negotiate this new compact.

“I think you [Chief Smith] have defended us to the best of your ability over the last four years, especially in the last two years. We appreciate the effort you have made to negotiate this agreement,” Levinson said. “Chief Smith, we appreciate the fight you put up for us.”

“I think the Administration is to be commended for this compact,” said Tribal Councilor David Thornton, representing Sequoyah County.

The Council also voted unanimously to approve an additional motion regarding the rebate of tobacco taxes to tobacco shops located in border areas of the Cherokee Nation.

During Chief Smith’s State of the Nation address, he congratulated Cherokee Nation Health Services for being honored as the 2008 Exemplary Tribal Organization for Comprehensive Cancer Control Implementation by C-Change, a national cancer organization. The award will be presented by former President George H. W. Bush to Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. on November 14 in College Station, Texas. He also congratulated Cherokee Nation Enterprises on the new West Siloam Springs casino facility.

Chief Smith recognized the Cherokee Nation Commerce Department for its new Small Business Assistance Center in Claremore and its work to obtain official Oklahoma Scenic Byway designation for portions of Highway 10 and Highway 412.

“It is gratifying to know that others see this area of Cherokee Nation as both historically important and visually beautiful,” Smith said.

In honor of Veterans Day, Chief Smith thanked all veterans and noted that the Cherokee Nation Color Guard would be participating in the New York City Veterans Day Parade and was invited to represent the tribe at the re-opening of the USS Intrepid Museum in New York Harbor. He and Deputy Principal Chief Grayson honored four Vietnam War veterans during the meeting: Dr. Richard Allen, Rogan Noble, Ben Stevens and Larry Ketcher.

In other business the Council authorized resolutions to submit a grant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to submit the tribe’s forest management plan to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council will be held on Monday, December 15, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Cherokee Nation tribal complex south of Tahlequah.