Cherokee Tribal Council members tabled a resolution expressing support for and providing $150,000 in funding to the Cherokee Art Institute until the source of that funding is specifically named Thursday (Feb. 3).

The proposed Cherokee Art Institute is a branch of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. The institute, established in 1962, is dedicated to the preservation, study, creative application and contemporary expression of American Indian and Alaska Native arts and cultures. It was founded by co-creators Dr. George Boyce and the late Lloyd Kiva New, who was Cherokee.

As the resolution is written, council would donate $150,000 “from the _______ line item.” Council members wished to first fill in that blank before passing the resolution. Once the initial $150,000 is given, that amount will be included in the general fund budget to be paid as a donation each year.

Additionally, council member Tommye Saunooke moved that the resolution be amended to include a three-year review period to allow for modifications to be made in the funding amount. That motion passed unanimously.

The resolution also sets forth Tribal members James L. Smith, Kimlyn S. Lambert, Glenda L. Bradley Chiltoski, Carmaleta L. Monteith, Marie L. Junaluska and Kathy S. Wolfe as advisory committee members to the institute. Committee members will serve a one-year term with authorization to oversee and manage the institute.