Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Hoskin to Give Keynote at Oklahoma Council for Indian Education Conference

Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskins, Jr.

Published December 1, 2018

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. will be the keynote speaker for the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education’s 39th Annual Conference Dec. 4-5 at the Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton.

The OCIE advocates throughout the state on behalf of Native American students and shares effective educational strategies that address cultural and academic needs of Native students. This year’s conference theme is “Tribal Sovereignty: Our Place in Education.”

“The Cherokee Nation is always looking to build strong partnerships with entities like the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education,” Hoskin said. “OCIE’s promotion of Indian education at all levels of learning, coupled with its desire to spread cultural awareness, makes it a great resource for the state of Oklahoma and our schools. I’m looking forward to visiting OCIE’s conference to network with Indian education leaders, teachers, tribal officials and students, and to talk about the great ways the Indian Nations are supporting Indian education not just in northeast Oklahoma but throughout the state.”

Secretary Hoskin will give the keynote address on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Cherokee National Treasure Tommy Wildcat will perform flute music before the conference’s opening session.

“As a Cherokee Nation citizen, I am pleased and honored that Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. will be our keynote speaker for the opening of our 39th annual conference,” said Samantha Benn-Duke, chair of the OCIE conference committee. “He was recommended by a board member, and many of us remembered the presentation he made three years ago for our honors award banquet, at which we honor Teacher, Student, Educator, Elder and Parent of the Year. The committee determined that he would be an exciting presenter who would effectively fit with our conference theme, ‘Tribal Sovereignty: Our Place in Education.’ We look forward to his presentation and to Cherokee National Treasure Tommy Wildcat’s flute playing prior to the opening session.”

Aside from its annual conference, the OCIE also hosts an Oklahoma Indian Education Legislative Day in February, the Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society and the Oklahoma Indian Challenge Bowl. OCIE welcomes members who work in any areas that impact Native students in Oklahoma.

For more information on the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education, visit www.oklahoma-ocie.org.