Intertribal Life Newspaper -

TULSA, Okla.­-The Cherokee Nation honored hundreds of Native-owned businesses, from construction companies to printing shops, during the tribe's 10th Annual TERO Certified Indian Owned Business Awards Banquet Thursday in November, 2017.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Employment Rights Office has more than 800 Indian-owned companies that are TERO-certified vendors able to do business with the tribe and better compete for government contracting jobs. In fiscal year 2017, TERO vendors earned more than $36 million in contracts with the tribe.

At the banquet, the Cherokee Nation also honored nine standout TERO businesses with awards.

"Cherokee Nation has far and away the largest and most progressive TERO program in Indian Country, and it continues to grow every year. Ten years ago we had about 330 certΩified vendors, and today that number is more than 840," said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden. "Increased TERO efforts are enabling more and more Cherokees to earn a quality job and make a good living in northeast Oklahoma. Indian-owned businesses are an essential contributor to the state economy."

Nine of the TERO certified businesses received special recognition for their outstanding performance as part of the annual awards banquet.

D & E Construction, in Salina, received the Construction Company of the Year award. The company has been a 100 percent Cherokee-owned and -operated TERO vendor since 2011. It has completed numerous projects for the Cherokee Nation.

"It is a blessing to have the tribe's support," Crawford said. "I thank the TERO office, Tribal Council and the Chief for standing behind the small businesses and providing work opportunities for us TERO vendors."

The nine certified Indian-owned businesses for 2017 are:

·  Woman-Owned Business of the Year-Advanced Workzone Services, Muskogee

·  Pioneer Award-Security Alarms Company, Muskogee

·  Community Leadership Award-Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

·  Consulting Firm of the Year-DIGI Security Systems, Pryor

·  Customer Service Award-Cooper Construction, Salina

·  Retail Business of the Year-Duke's Office Supply, Muskogee

·  Small Business of the Year-Comfort Heating & Air, Tahlequah

·  Large Business of the Year-Jerry's Excavation, Peggs

·  Construction Company of the Year- D&E Construction, Salina

The Cherokee Nation is the federally recognized government of the Cherokee people and has inherent sovereign status recognized by treaty and law. The seat of tribal government is the W.W. Keeler Complex near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. With more than 350,000 citizens, 11,000 employees and a variety of tribal enterprises ranging from aerospace and defense contracts to entertainment venues, Cherokee Nation is one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma and the largest tribal nation in the United States.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Employment Rights Office, visit http://www.cherokeetero.com.