TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. recently launched a task force to study the tribe’s registration process and recommend areas of improvement.
“Our citizenship numbers are at an all-time high and so is the performance of our talented Registration staff,” said Chief Hoskin. “But, Deputy Chief Warner and I refuse to stand still when it comes to examining what our government does and how we might do it better, particularly on an issue as important as citizen registration.”
Chief Hoskin’s Task Force on Registration Code and Process Reform will examine two areas, in two phases.
The first report, due to the Chief by February 10, 2025, will make recommendations as to the citizenship process as well as related matters such as citizenship relinquishment and dual enrollment.
The second report, due June 10, 2025, will make recommendations relating to the tribe’s citizenship photo ID.
“Whether it is making sure the process of becoming a citizen is efficient and thorough or making sure our photo IDs are effective credentials useful to citizens, this task force will perform important work to help us make improvements,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.
Chief Hoskin said that the work of the task force may only be the beginning of a more thorough review of the laws, policies and procedures surrounding registration.
“Ultimately we need a comprehensive look at the registration process, from eliminating any unintended barriers to accessing citizenship, to making sure constitutional and other legal rights are protected to ensuring that we have tribal IDs that are of great use to Cherokee Nation citizens,” said Chief Hoskin. “Deputy Chief Warner and I will take a look at the recommendations and work with the Council of the Cherokee Nation on areas we can implement.”
The Task Force consists of the following members of Chief Hoskin’s administration:
- Secretary of State Shella Bowlin (chair)
- Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan (co-chair)
- Chief of Staff Corey Bunch or designee (member)
- Derrick Vann, Cherokee Nation Registrar (member)
- Attorney General Chad Harsha (member)
- Chief Information Officer Paula Starr (member)
- Executive Director of Government Relations Kim Teehee (member)
In his executive order, Chief Hoskin encouraged the task force to gather input from key stakeholders and Cherokee citizens. Chief Hoskin also directed the task force to make its reports public and to share the reports with the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
A copy of the “Executive Order Establishing a Task Force on Registration Code and Process Reform” is available online by clicking here.
The Task Force has the authority to make recommendations to the Principal Chief, but has no independent authority to implement reforms.
Cherokee Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with more than 460,000 citizens across the United States.