Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Cherokee Nation representatives attended the annual Cherokee Country/Cherokee Nation Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) gala event and brought along a special surprise for the group—a donation check in the amount of $22,000.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith speaks during the annual Cherokee Country/Cherokee Nation CASA gala. The Cherokee Nation donated $22,000 to the group during the event. 
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith stated that the tribe has always been involved because the organization plays such an important role in the lives of our Cherokee children.
“CASA is such an important organization, as it plays an important role in protecting our children,” Smith said. “We are so pleased to work with the Cherokee Country/Cherokee Nation CASA group and support all of their hard work and dedication in protecting our young citizens.”
Tribal Councilman Bill John Baker agreed, saying that the group provides a great service and is one of the organizations that make the area a great place to live.
“CASA is a great organization,” Baker said. “They serve as court advocates for all children and provide a good service. They deal with all children, including Cherokee children, and help with all those sent from our 14 counties.”
Local CASA Executive Director Jo Prout graciously accepted the check on behalf of the organization and its Board of Directors.
“Everyone at CASA is very pleased to once again receive financial support from the Cherokee Nation,” said Prout. “Without Cherokee Nation support, I’m not sure the program here could continue.”
CASA is a concept conceived by the United States juvenile court system that began in Seattle, WA, in 1977 when a juvenile judge devised a system of volunteer service for abused and neglected children whose cases made it to court. It was named CASA because the volunteers who trained to become advocates couldn’t speak for the children until the judge appointed them to the case. Those specially trained CASAs got to know the children’s cases and spoke in their best interest as well as monitored the cases making sure the children remained safe until a permanent resolution was reached.
The Cherokee Nation has played an important role in the local CASA organization since its beginning in 1995, including many Cherokee Nation representatives being on the group’s initial planning committee.
“From the start the Cherokee Nation has been involved in this program,” said Prout. “As I recall, about one-half of the workers on the very first task force were from Cherokee Nation.”
Prout said she hopes the Cherokee Nation will continue to have an active role in the group for many years to come.
“Over 75 percent of our operating costs are covered by the support of the Cherokee Nation,” Prout said. “The support is critical to our being able to exist. Without the Cherokee Nation, it would not have been possible for us to have so positively affected the lives of so many children over the years.”
For more information or to become involved in CASA, contact Prout, phone: 918-456-8788.
Visit CASA Online:
| 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 |
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 |