- Details
- By Chuck Hoskin Jr
Guest Opinion. About 7,000 identified rare diseases impact approximately 1 in 10 Oklahomans. The Cherokee Nation's first Rare Disease Summit on Nov. 21 marks a crucial step toward addressing the too often overlooked health care needs of this population. The summit embodies the tribe’s deep commitment to helping our citizens with complex health challenges.
Cherokees deserve help, treatment and hope – especially those who’ve long felt unseen by the health care system due to their unique conditions. This summit is particularly significant to me and First Lady January Hoskin, who has openly shared her own journey in battling a rare disease. We understand the profound physical and financial impacts of rare diseases — not only on individuals, but on their families trying to navigate what can be expensive and unclear health care decisions.
This informative gathering, organized by Cherokee Nation Health Services, aims to close gaps in health care access and ensure that every patient at Cherokee Nation Health Services feels seen and heard, no matter how rare their condition may be. Participants will hear from medical experts in neurology, rheumatology, and infectious diseases in both panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions as they discuss multidisciplinary approaches for tackling rare health conditions.
First Lady Hoskin and I, along with the Committee on Rare Diseases formed in 2020, hope to bring individuals out of isolation and into a supportive community. No one is alone, and we stand together every step of the way.
According to the National Institutes of Health, any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States is considered rare, and more than 90% lack FDA-approved treatments. Cherokee Nation’s health care system, the largest and most effective in Indian Country, is committed to finding solutions and increasing resources for people with the conditions. We are raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and building a growing support network.
The Nov. 21 summit represents a powerful step forward in health equity and community support within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. I encourage anyone interested in or affected by rare diseases to participate in the summit. Sign-up is free, with lunch and a resource fair provided from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register at cherokee.org/rare-disease-summit, where additional details are available.
Cherokee Nation believes no one should feel overlooked or marginalized, and with this summit in place, we have a real opportunity to amplify the voices of those who struggle with a rare disease.
Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
More Stories Like This
President Joe Biden is Right on the Indian Boarding School Monument: “We don’t erase history.”Cherokee Language Preservation Moving Forward
President-elect Trump Should Highlight the Truth about Indian Boarding Schools' Abuses in His Second Term
Cherokee Nation Reclaims Historic Day School Lands
Lumbee Tribe Stands with Senator Thom Tillis in the Face of Continuous Attacks by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.