Area Schools Get Cherokee Money

The Cherokee Nation distributed $3.4 million to ninety-one school districts Friday.  Sequoyah County schools received $342,218, Adair County schools received $347,890 and Cherokee County schools received $678,629.

In Sequoyah County, Sallisaw Schools received one of the largest awards at $84,946.  Tahlequah Schools, which is where the Cherokee Nation is headquartered, received $194,608.

Each year the tribe allocates 38 per cent of tax revenue from the sale of tribal car tags to the schools in the 14-county tribal jurisdiction.  The tribe reported this year's donation is up from $3.2 million last year.

Chief Bill John Baker said the schools have complete discretion over the funding and how it is used.  The funds are not earmarked for any specific purpose or students, although the funds are allocated based on the number of Cherokee students enrolled at that school.

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