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From L to R, (seated) Principal Chief Chad Smith and Brent Kisling, Oklahoma’s state director for USDA rural development, sign paperwork for the Cherokee Nation to receive a $220,000 grant from USDA, while -- (standing) Deputy
Chief Joe Grayson, Amy Burge, field rep. with Congressman
Brad Carson’s office, and Bill John Baker, tribal council member, look on.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation recently received a $220,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help Cherokee Nation citizens become homeowners.

"This is something different that we haven’t done anywhere else in the state," said Brent Kisling, state director for USDA rural development. "A good way to start developing wealth in rural Oklahoma is through home ownership. Partnerships with tribes, like the Cherokee Nation, is how we (USDA) can contribute to home ownership in rural Oklahoma."

The grant money will be distributed to tribal citizens as part of a self-help program. The Cherokee Nation has identified twenty families in Adair County as potential homeowners. These families will be able to use this funding to purchase technical assistance services, such as the help of a construction supervisor, to help with building their home. The Cherokee Nation will also contribute funds to purchase building materials for the homes. In return, these families have agreed to work together to provide labor to help one another with construction.

"We chose this area (Adair County) because it has a history of self-help and working together," said Marvin Jones, executive director of community services for Cherokee Nation. "They’ve worked together to build a water line in Bell and a community building. We wanted to see if they still had the ability to get a group project completed."

"One of our greatest challenges is building enough homes for the families that need them," said Principal Chief Chad Smith. "We have identified over 5000 families that are interested in home ownership. With this grant, we can help some of them fulfill that dream, while encouraging them to be proactive and involved with the home building process. We can make each dollar go father, if we all work together."

Each family was involved in designing their own home and producing house plans for construction.

"These families are eager to show people that Cherokees can work together and contribute labor," Jones said. "They’re not sitting back and waiting on someone to build a house for them. The families have called this project, the ‘Our Generation’ project because this generation of Cherokees is willing to work."

Related contact information:

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

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org