Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker is applauding efforts to create a cabinet level position in the Oklahoma governor's office that would be dedicated to Native American affairs.
State Democratic Rep. Chuck Hoskin of Vinita has authored a bill that would create an executive branch cabinet secretary of Native American Affairs. The secretary would be designated the Oklahoma Native American liaison. Hoskin is also the Cherokee Nation chief of staff.
Baker says that with 39 tribes in Oklahoma, communication and cooperation between the tribes and the governor's office are essential.
The bill is House Bill 1305.
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