The Tribal Employment Rights Office (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 office will investigate and mediate employment discrimination complaints involving unfair employment procedures or practices prohibited by Title VII, ADA, ADEA, & EPA.

The TERO office also negotiates for job vacancies with contractors doing business with the Cherokee Nation and refers qualified Native American workers to fill those vacancies.

TERO also maintains a list of Native-owned businesses. This list is used by CNE, CNI, HACN 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.

To be certified as an Indian Preference firm, applicants may download an application, pick up an application at our office, or have one mailed to you.

Physical Address:

112 Main Parkway
Tahlequah, OK 74464
(Tahlequah Industrial Park)

Mailing Address:

Attention: TERO
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465

Office Contact:

918-453-5334

Applications will be reviewed to ensure all documentation is received. Applications will then be reviewed by a TERO certification committee who generally meet on the first Wednesday of the month. All applications recommended for approval are compiled on an agenda that will go before the Tribal Council Executive & Finance sub-committee who generally meet on the last Thursday of the month. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have regarding our TERO certification process.