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Detail Of Cherokee Nation Boundary

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution program will begin serving clients in Muskogee on Thursday, February 20. The new site will serve all eligible Indians that live within the Muskogee city limits of the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdictional boundaries.

"There’s been some confusion about the exact area we’re able to serve", said Bud Squirrel, manager of the Cherokee Nation Food Distribution program. "Unlike most of our food sites that serve rural settings, the Muskogee site is for Indians who live in the small section of the Muskogee city limits that fall within the Cherokee Nation’s boundaries."

Muskogee is part of the tribal jurisdiction for both the Cherokee and Creek Nations. The attached map is divided into two parts by a red line. Everything west of the red line is considered part of the Creek Nation. The area east of the red line is part of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution program already serves the areas in gray and will now be able to serve the areas in tan. Native Americans living in the tan area may now be eligible to participate in the Cherokee Nation Food Distribution program.

The new Muskogee tailgate site will be located in the parking lot of the Muskogee Clinic at 1850 N. York Street, from 9:00 until 12:00 p.m.

To be eligible to participate, one member of the household must have a tribal membership card or a Certified Degree of Indian Blood card from a federally recognized Tribe and meet income guidelines. The current income limit cannot exceed $873 for the first person and $257 for each additional household member. To qualify, clients must bring copies of pension, government checks, pay stubs, or employer’s statement of gross earnings. Household members 18 years and older with no income must provide unemployment verification signed by two adults that are not related to the 18 year old.

Self-employed participants need to bring current tax papers. Household members must also provide verification of identity (Social Security cards, birth certificates, drivers license) and verification of residency (a utility bill or phone bill). For more information please call 918-456-0671 (extension 2920).

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