Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. Signs Executive Order Establishing Capitol Complex District Work Group

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed an executive order establishing the Principal Chief's Work Group on the Implementation of the Cherokee Nation Capitol Complex District Act of 2026. Chief Hoskin has tasked the work group to develop a master plan by the end of this year.

The Cherokee Nation Capitol Complex District Act of 2026 requires the Principal Chief to develop a master plan for the district every ten years. The act reflects the tribe's determination that development of the district be carefully planned to support governmental operations, citizen access to services, good physical working conditions, and historic, cultural, and artistic preservation and interpretation.

"It is our responsibility to plan the future with the same care and intention that our ancestors applied to building our Nation," said Chief Hoskin. "This work group and the master plan it will produce ensure that we are thoughtful stewards of this land while honoring our heritage and creating an environment where Cherokee citizens can access services, connect with their culture, and see their government working for them."

The master plan will identify existing infrastructure and the proposed highest and best use of properties within the district over a ten-year period. It will also include general locations and descriptions of capital projects planned for the area. Once complete, the master plan will undergo a 45 day Council review period before being made publicly available on Cherokee.gov.

In addition to the master plan, the work group is tasked with developing standardized signage to identify the geographic area of the district, with installation to be complete by May 1, 2027. The work group will also periodically engage Cherokee Nation citizens and other stakeholders for input throughout the planning process.

The Work Group is composed of:

• Dr. Corey Bunch, Chief of Staff (Chair)
• Jon Asbill, Senior Administrator of Construction (Co-Chair)
• Christina Justice, Secretary of Natural Resources
• Howard Paden, Secretary of Language and Culture
• David Moore, Executive Director of Management Resources
• Chair appointed member for each fiscal year (FY 2027, Camerin Fite-James, Senior Policy Advisor)
• Additional appointed member for each fiscal year

The Cherokee Nation Capitol District covers over 859 acres and embraces the major government facilities in the Cherokee Nation capital city of Tahlequah. Other provisions of Chief Hoskin's executive order include a requirement that signage for the newly established district be developed and installed.

"Implementation of a plan is something that is strategic and necessary," Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said. "The diversity of this work group is astounding and though they all come from different backgrounds, they all know how to execute and make impact. I believe we'll be in good hands."