Cherokee TERO Indian-Owned Businesses
Tribal Employment Rights Office
PO Box 948 Tahlequah, OK 74465
Contact: 918.453.5334
TERO monitors and enforces the Cherokee Nation Tribal TERO Ordinance to ensure employment rights are protected. Enforcement of employment rights is funded through the *Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.). The TERO will investigate and mediate employment discrimination involving unfair employment procedures/practices prohibited by Title VII, ADA, ADEA, & EPA.
The TERO negotiates for job vacancies with contractors doing business with the Cherokee Nation and refers qualified Native American workers to fill those vacancies.
Indian Preference Contractors
The TERO maintains a listing of Indian-owned businesses. This listing is used by CNE, CNI and the Cherokee Nation Purchasing Department when letting contracts out for bid. The TERO Ordinance allows for TERO Certified firms to receive preferential treatment in the bid process.
How to Certify
If you would like to be certified as an Indian Preference firm, you should contact the TERO Office. You can download the application here.
Once the application is complete, please send it back to the TERO Office, where the application will be reviewed to ensure all required documentation is present. If your application is complete a site visit will be conducted, and then you will be invited to meet with the TERO Committee. After meeting with you, the Committee will decide to certify or not certify your company. If your company is certified, it’s name will be placed on the contractor’s list. If your company is denied certification, you many not re-apply for a period of one year.
Legal Basis
In October of 1983 the Cherokee Tribal Council passed a tribal resolution that authorized the establishment of the TERO Office within the Employment and Training Department of the Cherokee Nation. On August 11, 1984, the council approved a resolution and ordinance that enables the tribe to exercise their inherent sovereign powers by imposing Indian Preference on employers working on or near the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.
If you would like more information, please contact the TERO at (918) 453-5334 or Toll Free at (800) 256-0671, Ext 5334