Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Emily Quetone, reads book, about animals, to children at Unahnti Head Start Center.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - During a luncheon speech addressed to the Native American students and faculty at Dartmouth College in the fall of 1999, Principal Chief Chad Smith invited students to come to the Cherokee Nation or their respective tribe, stating that he would find them a place for internship. A few months later, Emily Quetone e-mailed Smith and took him up on his offer. Quetone, a junior Native American studies and education major at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, has just completed a six-week internship at the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit.

"I felt this would be an excellent opportunity to volunteer my time to work with the Cherokee Nation," Quetone said. "This will give me a chance to gain first-hand knowledge of the operations."

As part of her internship, Quetone has observed council meetings, toured the area, and gained a better understanding of the governmental the system of the Cherokee Nation. She also received an overview of how the Cherokee Nation collaborates and partners with the community at large.

Marsha Purtell, who supervises interns at the Early Childhood Unit, says, "Emily is an outstanding and bright young woman. She has been quite helpful in gathering needed research and information."

Some of her duties included gathering data for the 2001 Community Assessment, reading to preschoolers and toddlers, learning about the committee process of the social service advisory board and policy council and speaking to Sequoyah High School students about college opportunities.

Quetone says she enjoyed her time here and would have liked to spend more time if she could.

"I am loving my time in Tahlequah and have been overjoyed by the diverse opportunities I’ve been presented with. Being surrounded by such a rich, extensive history, by such a welcoming and dedicated staff, and by the classrooms of such bright and lively children have so greatly inspired me," Quetone said. "The kids let me come read and play with them, but more importantly, they’ve let me learn from them. I only with I had more weeks here to spend with everyone!"

Emily Quetone is the granddaughter of Jim and Reba Quetone. Jim Quetone is the former director of the Cherokee Nation Education Group.