Groundbreaking on UKB First Council House

The Historic Council House will include four offices and council chambers for meetings.

The four UKB Tribal Officers were joined by current and former council for the groundbreaking.

By: LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla- It was a monumental day as the United Keetoowah Band Tribal Officials were joined by tribal employees on the groundbreaking of their own administration building.

“This will be our very first council house,” Chief Jeff Wacoche said. “It is very monumental since the first tribal council meetings in 1859 is when the first constitution was written and approved back in the woods. Later in the years, meetings were held at different houses. So, to have this new council house will be historic.”

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 7, with MASKA Builders a Native American Enterprise. Chief Wacoche was joined by current and former council as they shared what this meant to them.

Currently the tribal council meet in the UKB Wellness Center on the complex on the first Saturday of each month. The council sits four officers including the chief, assistant chief, secretary and treasurer as well as nine district representatives. The four officers are housed in the UKB Federal Services building until the new building is ready for move in.

The new council house will have four offices inside which will house the chief, assistant chief, secretary and treasurer. This will include the council chambers with a seating gallery, for council meetings.

No expected date on when this new building will be completed, but the UKB Tribal Council are happy about having their own place.