Tulsa, OK

From The Cherokee Nation:

Cherokee Nation Honors Veteran Josiah Hair

Josiah Hair receives a Cherokee Warrior medal from Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr.

MOORE, OK — The Cherokee Nation recently honored Josiah Hair, a veteran and Cherokee citizen during the September Tribal Council meeting. Before entering the military, Hair is originally from Tahlequah and now lives in Moore, Oklahoma.

“We appreciate the dedication and commitment our military men and women have provided to our tribe and our country,” said Joe Grayson, Jr., Deputy Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It is important to recognize these individuals for their allegiance to the Cherokee Nation, our country and citizens. I commend Mr. Hair for the service that he has provided to us all and congratulate him for his military accomplishments.”

Josiah Hair was born in 1961 to Jim and Mary Hair in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Hair enlisted in the United States Navy in 1981 as an Aviation Electrician’s mate. Hair’s first duty assignment was at NAS North Island in San Diego, California where he worked on SH-3 Sea-King Helicopters. In 1984, Hair was promoted to Petty Officer 2^nd class and transferred to VA-165 at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington. Hair was deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in 1985. During a World Cruise in 1987, Hair’s ship was involved with a crisis with Iraq for 104 days at sea. After the conflict, a Navy Expeditionary Medal was awarded to the ship and crew. Hair was honorably discharged in August of 1987. During his military career, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, a Navy Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, a Battle E Ribbon and a Meritorious Unit Citation. Today, Hair works at Tinker Air Force Base as a Civil Service Aircraft Electrician and is actively involved with the Indian community in and around the Oklahoma City area. He resides with his wife Valeria and their daughter who plans to enlist in the Navy.

“What can I say? Thank you. I am very proud of my service to this country. My father was a Marine, but I chose to serve in the Navy. Now my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps and enlist in the Navy after she graduates next year. I am proud that she is carrying on a tradition,” said Hair.

“It is a privilege to honor our Cherokee citizens for the commitment and dedication that they provide to our government and to the United States. These men and women sacrifice more than most of us will ever know for our freedoms and safety,” said Grayson.

If you know a veteran who is a Cherokee citizen and would like them to be recognized by the Cherokee Nation, please contact Paulette Thomas at (918) 453-5541.

Cherokee Nation Funds Restoration Efforts

Cherokee Nation citizens and area dignitaries join with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith (center) and Tribal Council Members Cara Cowan-Watts, Bill John Baker, Chris Soap, Harley Buzzard, Council Speaker Meredith Frailey, Jack Baker, Jodie Fishinghawk and Curtis Snell in the groundbreaking of the Saline Courthouse renovation project.

ROSE, OK — Preservation efforts are underway on the grounds of the Saline Courthouse, one of the nine courthouses built by the Cherokee Nation in the 1880’s and the only one standing today. The renovation project will cost $212,000 and is expected to be completed around March 12. The springhouse is located on the 14-acre property.  The Cherokee Nation held a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, September 18 to celebrate the beginning of construction.

“This site is a symbol of our past,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The Saline Courthouse is reminiscent of the grandeur and sophistication of a government that we chose and designed prior to Oklahoma statehood.”

The Saline District Courthouse was one of nine courthouses built by the Cherokee Nation in the 1880’s and is the only one standing today. The historic establishment came into existence after the forced removal of the Cherokees in the “Trail of Tears” but ceased to serve judicial purposes after the Curtis Act of 1898 abolished the tribal court system.

Joe Grayson, Jr., Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation is pleased that renovation efforts are underway and appreciates the historical significance of the project on a personal level.

“This is the last remaining courthouse of our old Cherokee Nation judicial system and the first park in the tribe’s National Park system,” said Grayson. “My great-grandfather was the last court clerk at the Saline Courthouse. He closed the doors on the courthouse before statehood.”

“The Saline Courthouse is listed on the National Trust of Historic Places and has been on the 14 Most Endangered list for Preservation Oklahoma.,” said Lisa Melchior, Saline Preservation Association President. “The courthouse and springhouse are important to the history of the Cherokee Nation and we are pleased to take part in this project.”

The restoration project will include six phases, beginning with the preservation of the springhouse located on the property grounds. The site will eventually include a nature trail, outside classrooms and a memorial trail that will be comprised of native plants and historical information pertinent to the site.

“The Saline Courthouse has been a sacred place to the Cherokee Nation for over 100 years, longer than Oklahoma has been a state,” said Herb Fritz of Fritz-Baily Architects. “Our goal is to leave no indication that renovation has ever taken place at this site. Upon completion the springhouse will be restored to its original state.”

The Cherokee Nation looks to the day that the doors of the courthouse will be re-opened and renovation of the property is completed.

“It would be meaningful if the Saline Preservation Association would allow Joe Grayson Jr., the honor of opening the doors on the courthouse once again,” said Chief Smith. “I hope he is allowed to insert the key and re-open the door of a legacy that was closed to his ancestors many years ago.”