Free, one year Cherokee Phoenix subscription available to citizens
Citizens with updated addresses eligible under new initiative
Citizens with updated addresses eligible under new initiative
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation citizens who have an updated address on file with the tribe’s registration department will receive a free, one-year subscription to the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper starting this month.
Principal Chief Bill John Baker hopes the Citizens Access to Transparency initiative will motivate Cherokees to update their addresses so they may receive the Cherokee Phoenix, the independent tribal newspaper, along with other publications like the quarterly Anadisgoi magazine and other tribal news and information regarding programs and services.
“This initiative allows us to be proactive in communicating openly and transparently with our citizens,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Bill John Baker. “Cherokees are spread all across the globe, and each of them deserves direct and open communication. This new initiative allows our tribal citizens to better stay abreast of news and opportunities within our government, and get the unbiased perspective the Cherokee Phoenix provides.”
Funding for the subscriptions will come from the fiscal year 2015 operating budget. Newspapers will be mailed monthly to all Cherokee Nation households with updated addresses over the next year. Subscriptions normally cost $10 per year.
There are about 320,000 Cherokee Nation citizens living worldwide, but many addresses in the tribal registration database are out of date due to citizens moving and not updating their contact information.
Citizens who provide an updated address will not only receive a free one year subscription to the Cherokee Phoenix, but will also receive mailers informing them of out-of-jurisdiction community meetings and new services that become available, such as the expansion of car tags statewide and the free hunting and fishing licenses that will become available in January.
“The Cherokee Phoenix was the first Native American newspaper founded back in 1828 and still printing today. Their legacy of providing fair and balanced information is something we want all of our citizens to take advantage of,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. “But it’s also a way to maintain current data on our citizens so we can provide them with direct, reliable information about tribal services and programs. The Cherokee Nation has long been a leader in transparency in government, and this is one more way we are providing that transparency.”
The initiative will also help the newspaper gain new subscribers or those whose subscriptions have lapsed, due to inaccurate mailing addresses.
“When Chief Baker first approached me with the idea for the Citizens Access to Transparency initiative, I recognized the potential benefit to tribal citizens and the Cherokee Phoenix,” said Bryan Pollard, executive editor of the Cherokee Phoenix. “By subsidizing the cost of printing and mailing the newspaper, the administration will help thousands more Cherokee households gain access to the authentic content in the Cherokee Phoenix, and the Cherokee Phoenix will gain many new subscribers who may not have otherwise received the paper. This is an important partnership between the administration and the tribal newspaper that I believe many Cherokee Nation citizens will find valuable.”
Cherokee Nation citizens can update their contact information by downloading and printing a form atwww.cherokee.org and returning it via mail, fax or email. Just click services > tribal citizenship > updating your information to download and print the form, which also includes instructions on how to return it.
