Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation recently combined the buying power of its entities to save more than $400,000 in long distance phone bills.

"Any time we can save that kind of money, it's a success," said Todd Enlow, director of information systems for the Cherokee Nation.

"Now we can spend less money on the phone bill and more money on preserving our language, on developing a thriving economy and building strong communities," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Nation Enterprises, Cherokee Nation Industries, the Cherokee Heritage Center, and the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation worked together to sign a joint three-year agreement with SBC for long distance telephone service that resulted in a reduction in the long distance toll charge.

The Cherokee Nation plans to use this as a model to negotiate with other service providers in the area.

"We're looking at everything," Enlow said. I think we can move forward and apply this concept to other areas."

The Cherokee Nation and its entities employ nearly 5,000 people in northeastern Oklahoma, making it one of the largest employers in the area.

Related Cherokee Nation 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