Over 35 people were in attendance to hear what Smith, the meeting's guest speaker, had to say about the future of Cherokee Nation, including the tribe's housing situation and the tribe's dependency on federal funding.
Smith emphasized that Cherokee Nation is a government, although in the last 20 to 30 years, Smith said people have come to believe the tribe is a social services agency.
He said while the tribe does have social services, including housing and health care, those don't make up the core foundation of the tribe.
"It's a government," he said.
Smith said it's hard for some people to understand that there still can be a government within a government, a city within a county, a county within in a state, and a state within a federal government.
He said one myth is that the tribe doesn't pay taxes, but that is not true. He said the only taxes the tribe doesn't pay are ad valorem taxes on restricted properties. Smith contended that schools are actually happy about that because they can get impact aid from the federal government at a higher rate than ad valorem taxes.
Concerning car tags, Smith said the tribe pays schools 1 percent more than the state tax pays to schools.
He said as a tribe, Cherokee Nation has gaming, law enforcement, tobacco, and other endeavors because of tribal sovereignty.
Smith said the tribe's overall plan is to prevent a third Trail of Tears. He said the second trail was the Grapes of Wrath, when half of the Cherokee population left Oklahoma.
He said the tribe's main goal is to create a good partnership in communities and business communities, and increase citizens' quality of life.
Smith said the tribe currently produces between 130 and 150 different products and services, ranging from high schools and Head Start classes to clinics and Environmental Protection Agency programs.
He said the tribe employs close to 6,000 employees and operates on a budget of more than $300 million, noting the tribes' stimulation of the local economy.
Smith said the tribe wants to help people get jobs and education.
Smith fielded a variety of questions from the audience, including questions about the effects of gaming on society.
An audience member asked Smith to fast-forward 10 to 15 years and detail what would be the significant difference in the tribe.
"We believe we need 11,000 more jobs in northeast Oklahoma to fully employ our people," Smith said.
Smith said he hopes the Cherokee Nation can employ 10,000 by that time and become more business savvy in its operations.
He listed one newest division of Cherokee Nation helping to strategize. He said Cherokee Nation Business is in charge of internal audits, law, and corporate government. He said this division helps provide services to other businesses, develop a long-term business development plan, and help the tribe become a strategic company. He said that section's focus is to diversify.
Terry Nichols, audience member, asked Smith if, in the wake of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the tribe thinks about funding cuts from federal government.
"We know it's going to happen," Smith said of federal funding cuts.
He said that he sees the federal government abandoning the tribe two to three times in the next 100 years.
"Our goal is to reduce our dependency on federal funds 1 percent each year," Smith said.
Smith said today the tribe is 85 percent dependant on federal funds, and he said they are preparing for the day federal funds stop.
"We're always looking at that," he said.
One audience member asked Smith if he had any concerns about what the negative impact the gaming industry may have on society.
Smith said gaming is seen as entertainment, noting that the average person spends about $35 in a visit, sometimes winning and sometimes not.
"You spend that much going to the movies," he said.
Smith said when he looks at society factors that are the most damaging, he names television as the most harmful to society, as well as health issues, such as diabetes, and methamphetamine.
"Gaming is an entertainment expression," Smith said. "I see more harm in other entertainment venues."
Smith noted the tribe does have programs to resolve and work with problem gamblers.
David Redden, town administrator, questioned Smith about the contributions casinos make and the impact they have on small towns, like Roland.
"There's really nothing for Roland in it," Redden said, noting that the casino doesn't provide a tax base for the town since most people who play in the casino don't stay or eat in the town.
He said there is also a water and sewer issue since the town provides water and sewer to the casino. Redden suggested that a tax be offered back to the town.
Redden said, as a Cherokee Nation member, he believes the tribe should try to help small towns that the casinos enter. He noted that the tribe gives money for county roads, money which Roland hasn't seen.
"It's quite an impact to small communities," he said.
"I hope the entire community doesn't feel the same way," Smith responded.
Smith said over 300 people work at the casino, getting health insurance, retirement, and other benefits.
"There're lots of communities that would love to have us," Smith said.
Redden said while some casino employees live in the city limits, most live outside the community.
Smith said he would like to visit with Redden further about the subject.
Another issue brought up by an audience member included housing. He said most of the tribe's housing comes from Housing and Urban Development, but the tribe has created expectations over the last 30 years. He said the tribe has 5,000 people on waiting lists to get subsidized housing, which would take years for those people to get homes.
"We're not building subsidized housing any more," he said.
Smith said the tribe wants to focus on programs to help people through mortgage assistance and to help them improve their credit through credit counseling and other programs so they can get mortgages. Through those programs, the tribe hopes to help between 350 and 400 people get a mortgage this year, Smith said.
Prior to Smith being introduced, Jaci Pitts, chamber president, reminded the group about some upcoming chamber events, including the Iron Mountain Festival set for April 29.
"It was a huge success last year," Pitts said. "This year will be much better."
