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OAK RIDGE, OK - Ten students and their instructor from Cherokee Nation Building Trades program are helping construct a new home in the Oak Ridge community of Adair County.

In the past, the vocational classes have only done renovations and improvements, but the Oak Ridge project is the first time students have built a home from the ground up.

“These projects are valuable because they save on contracting costs, a Cherokee family can move into affordable housing, and our students learn skills,” said Larry Ketcher, director of the employment training program at Cherokee Nation.

The on-site instructor is a certified carpenter who supervises and teaches the students skills involved in new home construction, such as basic carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and electrical work. Once the students complete their training for one year they are considered “work ready” and can find employment in the buildings trade field.

The project also utilizes volunteers from the community, including the future homeowners.

The home is scheduled for completion by May, and the Cherokee Nation plans other future community home projects.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation Building Trades program call Faye Baird at the Cherokee Nation at (918) 456-0671, ext. 2430.

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671