Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma announces first hunting and fishing reserves

This week, Oklahoma’s Cherokee Nation took strides to preserve Native foodways by announcing a plan to open the first hunting and fishing areas reserved for tribal members. Chuck Hoskin, Jr., the tribe’s principal chief, introduced legislation that would allow the nation to acquire and manage more than 4,000 acres in three counties. Over 380,000 tribal citizens would be entitled to use the lands, which are “abundant” with deer, rabbit, quail and fish, plus mushrooms, wild onions, berries, and nuts, Indian Country Today reports. Besides providing access to food at a time of rising hunger, the act is “another way we can practice tradition as good stewards of our land,” Hoskin said.