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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council unanimously passed two community and tribal services acts at the May council meeting authorizing submissions for grants that will further economic development for the tribe.

Presented by Melvina Shotpouch, Council member representing Delaware County; the Rural Housing and Economic Development Grant will implement a new community housing initiative and the Indian Community Development Block Grant, which will utilize the tribe’s commerce and community services departments, will create a small business start-up loan program.

"This (Rural Housing) grant will be used to train young people in the construction and management skills involved in (building) energy-efficient housing," Shotpouch said.

Of the Indian Community Development Block Grant, Shotpouch said, "This will be used for a micro-enterprise program, public service program, for recreational activities and for related purposes."

Deputy Chief Joe Grayson presented a proclamation on behalf of Principal Chief Chad Smith announcing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Cherokee Nation, from May 16 through May 21. He also recognized the EMS staff for their national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. The accreditation is a first for a tribe in the United States and a first for an EMS unit in the state of Oklahoma. Six members of the EMS staff were on hand to accept the tribute from the administration and tribal council.

Deputy Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. presented the Cherokee Nation seal to Cherokee citizens Guy Wilson and Walter Wilson, Jr.
for their military service. Guy Wilson served during World
War II with the U.S. Army and
his brother, Walter Wilson, Jr.
served from 1948 to 1968
with the U.S. Air Force.

The Deputy Chief and Tribal Council honored two Cherokee citizen military veterans, Guy Wilson of Hulbert and Walter Wilson, Jr. of Oklahoma City. The brothers come from a family of eight children, five boys and three girls. All five brothers served in the military. Guy Wilson fought for his country during World War II with the Army’s 60th Quarter Master. Walter Wilson, Jr. made the United States Air Force his career, serving from 1948 to 1968. The Wilson family is from the Hulbert area.

In other business, the council confirmed Housing Authority board members Audra Smoke-Conner, Council member representing Cherokee County; Joe Crittenden, Council member representing Adair County; and Melvina Shotpouch, Council member representing Delaware County.

The Council also passed an education resolution for grant submission for a vocational rehabilitation program which will provide citizens with the necessary skills to return to work.

The entire May 16 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be viewed on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, www.cherokee.org.

The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for June 20, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex on Highway 62 south of Tahlequah.

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