June is officially Pride Month in the Cherokee Nation

June is now Pride Month in the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed a proclamation Monday declaring the month of June in a historic first recognition.

The proclamation says in part, "when one groups dignity and equality are threatened, we all suffer, this month, let us celebrate the pride that empowers the LGBTQ+ community."

At the ceremony, Hoskin addressed the LGBTQ+ community, saying the Cherokee Nation has and will continue to fight for all of its citizens.

"We've been celebrating (Pride Month) for a few years under my administration, but we're now going to formally designate the month of June as Pride Month in the Cherokee Nation," Hoskin said.

Hoskin said it's in the Cherokee Nation's nature to come together.

"During the most challenging times in our history, what we've done as Cherokee people is have each others back, to band together, to understand that we have something in common," he said. "We're a people who wouldn't be here if we didn't have each others back."

Hoskin said the declaration happens against the backdrop of history.

"The policy of the government of the Cherokee Nation is a policy of equality," Hoskin said. "It doesn't get more complicated than that."

Recent years have seen legislation passed some say targets the LGBTQ+ community . Oklahoma reformed rules around gender-affirming care for adolescents, school policies and also eliminated diversity initiatives among other moves.

Hoskin said concern for future generations and moves at the state and national level prompted the Cherokee Nation to speak out.

"There are too many people in this world trying to divide us based on who we ought to hate and who we ought to be afraid of," he said. "That type of political rhetoric is divisive and it hurts people, and it particularly hurts young people."

The Cherokee Nation will defend all people, Hoskin said.

"Cherokee greatness is one thing, but Cherokee goodness is so much more powerful than that, and there's something good about standing for equality," Hoskin said. "There's something good about making sure that everyone in our community, no matter who they are, feel welcome."