Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered a heartfelt and forward-looking speech on Sunday afternoon during a special at-large gathering at the Estes Park Events Center, celebrating the tribe’s resilience, growth, and national presence — including in Colorado, home to more than 7,000 Cherokee Nation citizens. “What a great sight to see this room full,” Chief Hoskin said, opening his remarks to a packed hall. “We’re not a footnote in history — we’re making history every day.”
The annual event, hosted by the Colorado Cherokee Circle, drew Cherokee families from across the state. Tribal representatives offered photo IDs, citizenship paperwork processing, scholarship information, and health services, among other services. The outreach effort aims to strengthen connections to culture and community far beyond the Nation’s capital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Hoskin, who missed last year’s gathering due to airline disruptions, said returning to Estes Park felt personal.
“In Estes Park, I see the future of the Cherokee Nation,” he said. “This community is home to Cherokee families raising their children in our culture, teaching our values, and carrying our legacy forward in one of the most beautiful places in the country.”
Asked about the most pressing issue facing the Cherokee Nation today, Chief Hoskin was unequivocal: “The biggest issue is a perennial one — our sovereignty. The assertion and defense of our tribal sovereignty isn’t just a legal battle. It defines our right to govern ourselves, to protect our culture, and to build a future that’s ours.” He continued, “Sovereignty isn’t abstract. It impacts everything — our healthcare, our housing, our ability to invest in education and infrastructure. It’s what allows us to serve our people with dignity and determination.”
Hoskin cited the recent passing of the Trump Administration’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which he said would negatively impact the Cherokee Nation with $50 million in combined grant losses and federal funding cuts. “Ten million dollars of that was earmarked for EV infrastructure in rural areas — areas that could be on the leading edge of clean energy,” he said. “Instead, we’re going to be on the trailing edge.”…