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Bonnie TwoShields of Fort Gibson with CNO Deputy Chief Hastings Shade at the Cherokee Nation Child Care Provider Award ceremony. TwoShields was honored as the outstanding registered (relative) provider.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma recently honored the areas best child-care providers with the Cherokee Nation Child Care Provider Awards.

"The winners showed extraordinary capability and concern for children, and provided a caring environment for the children," said Kim Phillips, who works with Cherokee Nation’s Child Care Resource Center. "The individuals, centers and homes were honored for outstanding commitment, contribution and leadership in providing quality child care in northeastern Oklahoma."

The Cherokee Nation honored Camille’s Kidz in Vian as the Licensed Child Care Center of the Year, Jeana’s Little Tikes in Tahlequah as the Licensed Family Child Care Home of the Year and Bonnie TwoShields of Fort Gibson and Lorene Girty of Vian as the Registered (family) Child Care Providers of the Year.

The Cherokee Nation also honored four child care providers for outstanding professional commitment by an individual: Pam Bolin of Vian, Calleen Jones of Sallisaw, Lori Toney of Stilwell and Carolyn Downs of Muskogee. Cherokee Nation Child Care and Development Services director Laurie Hand, Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center manager Bridget Tobey, and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Hastings Shade presented the awards.