Chief's Corner: Keetoowah Resilience Shines Amid Funding Fight

By Jeff Wacoche

Chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma

UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — February was a whirlwind for the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB), a month packed with advocacy, celebration and pushback against those who’d rather see us sidelined than thriving.

It kicked off Feb. 3 with the Tribal Leaders Roundtable, where we tackled the federal funding freeze head-on. We’re eagerly observing that situation as it develops. The next day, Feb. 4, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Muskogee Regional Office rolled in for some much-needed training on funding reporting—dry stuff, but vital.

Things heated up Feb. 10-13 at the National Congress of American Indians Executive Winter Session in Washington, D.C. Alongside our assistant chief and Flint District representative, I took the stage before a standing-room-only crowd to unpack the M-opinion—a game-changer from the feds with deep historical weight. The standing ovation that followed, after I answered a barrage of questions, felt like a nod to our people’s grit.

We carried that energy into Feb. 14, celebrating the M-opinion back home with another packed house. It was a hell of an event—huge thanks to everyone who made it happen. A few days later, on Feb. 17, we huddled with the executive director of the UKB Federal Corporation and our Light Horse director for a preplanning session, keeping the momentum rolling.

Feb. 25 was a personal highlight: testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Indian Affairs. It’s not every day you get that kind of platform. Then, on Feb. 27, we sat down with Tulsa County Sheriff Regalado and his team—productive talks, and I’m optimistic about what’s ahead. Wa-do, Sheriff, for carving out the time.

The month wrapped up Feb. 28 with the Office of Self-Governance onsite for training. Myself, the assistant chief, secretary, treasurer, tribal administrator, deputy comptroller and our financial consultant soaked it in. It was sharp, useful stuff—we’ll be passing the slides along to district reps.

Now here’s where it gets ugly. During those House hearings, a certain tribal official—nameless here because leadership doesn’t stoop to pettiness—took shots at UKB’s push for Indian Health Service (IHS) funding, calling it “redundant” and “wasteful.” Let’s set the record straight.

The IHS is the backbone of federal health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives, tasked with lifting our physical, mental, social and spiritual health to the highest level. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act—Public Law 93-638—gives tribes like ours the right to contract or compact with IHS to run our own programs. Title I lets us administer services; Title V lets us take full control. It’s not charity—it’s law.

The IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program, now in 12 regions nationwide, added nine new tribes in 2011 alone. Why? Because it works. Tribes know their people’s needs better than any bureaucrat. UKB members have been denied care—the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma knows it, IHS knows it. Now, we’re doing what Congress intended: stepping up to deliver for our own.

Yet some still balk. That’s their problem. We’ll keep moving forward, the Keetoowah way—integrity first, justice and equality for all. Anyone willing to join us is welcome at the table.

In conclusion, I would like to send a heartfelt congratulations to the Kenwood and Zion girls on winning their respective ORES State Championships and congratulate the Keys Lady Cougars for qualifying for the Class 3A girls state basketball tournament. Also, a huge shout out to the Sequoyah Lady Indians for finishing the season as Class 3A girls state runners-up and bringing home the silver ball!