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Brett Cowan posing beside a destroyed Gulf War tank.

RUMALIA, IRAQ - A Cherokee Nation tribal member is currently assisting with the clean-up effort underway in Iraq. Brett Cowan of Tulsa arrived in the Middle East the day the war started. He works at the Tulsa District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and volunteered to be sent to the war area.

Brett has assisted with communication set-up and is currently in the field assisting with oil well repair. Brett’s mother, Beverly Cowan, said she was hesitant about him going to Iraq with all the unrest that is in the area, but understands why he wanted to go.

"I supported Brett in his decision to be part of the group to help keep the country going and it is a great opportunity for him to use his engineering skills to help others", Cowan said. "It makes me feel better to know that a group of Marines or Army personnel travel with them to keep them safe and if someone was to shoot, they would have someone who could shoot back."

"Brett said that it is unbearably hot and sleep is hard to come by", Cowan said. "He works around 14 hours a day and they have to ration water very carefully."

He graduated from Seminole High School in 1994 and from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1999, with a civil engineering degree. He obtained a master’s degree in project management from OSU in 2001.

"He was active in the AISES (American Indians in Science and Engineering) and other activities while at Oklahoma State and is currently a member of the Oklahoma Professional Chapter of AISES", Cowan said.

This work assignment has opened Brett’s eyes to how different the cultures are", said Cowan. "This is his first time in the Middle East and he sees first-hand the way the women are not allowed the freedoms like the American women use on a daily basis."

Brett’s grandparents are Walt and Clara Cowan of Sallisaw, and Bob and Luella Leerskov of Claremore. Brett is expected to come home sometime between July and September.

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