Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Twenty-six people recently completed a year long training program to become better childcare providers for the children in their family.
Back row: Care giver for six of her grandchildren while the parents are at work, Christine Johnson, of Park Hill, is a participant in the Cherokee Nation "Sparking Connections" program. Pictured in the back row with their grandmother are Nikki and Judy; seated are Tyler, Jamie, Billy and Davi. 
"I learned how to handle my three-year olds better, where they will cooperate with me more," said Christine Johnson, a 74 year-old great-grandmother who cares for six great-grandchildren in her home. "Things are changing and I’ve got to change to."
The Cherokee Nation "Sparking Connections" program is a training program for grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles who serve as child care providers for children in their family while the parents are at work. Many participants are from rural communities where day care resources are not available. Caregivers participate in a variety of activities to learn ways to provide care for the children, facilitate learning in their environment and learn ways to share the Cherokee culture with children. Cherokee Nation staff visits the home each month throughout the year to bring learning activities, books, and toys and provide caregivers with a curriculum for school readiness. After completing the required educational activities with the children, the caregivers earn incentive money to be used to purchase their own learning resources and educational toys for the children they care for.
"The whole purpose of Sparking Connections is to help caregivers help their children learn and discover a life-long love of learning," said Nina Sazier O’Donnell, vice president and director of Child, Family and Community Programs at the Families and Work Institute (FWI).
FWI founded the "Sparking Connections" program and brought it to Oklahoma through partnerships with five Indian tribes.
"Thank you for caring about the future of the Cherokee Nation and for helping to build stronger families," said Joe Grayson, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, when he addressed the program graduates at their completion ceremony.
"You’re doing important work everyday with the children you service," Sazier O-Donnell said.
Care givers who were honored at the completion ceremony were Anna Carpenter, Dennis Dry, Gracie Million, James Lee, Janice Farris, Marlene Latta, Regina Ruckman, Richard Christie, Sally Terrapin, Shelley Lewis, Shirley Miller, Shirl Gray, William Wolf, Wilma Eagle, Faye Wildcat, Beverly Byrd, Gurlean Brown, Candace Brindsfield, Tammy Gritts, Laurinda Connelly, Arlene Foreman, Barbara Hubbard, Christine Johnson, Vicki Sparks, James Teehee, and Nina Washington.
"We’re really proud of you," said Norma Merriman, director of Human Services for the Cherokee Nation. "I hope you take with you all of the things that you have learned and spread them throughout your communities."
For more information on the Cherokee Nation "Sparking Connections" program, call 918-458-7613 (exts.234 or 253).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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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 |
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 |