Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Head Start program was the chosen recipient for a donation of 10 computer kiosks, complete with a full array of learning software for pre-school aged children, through the IBM Native American Family Technology Program.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith joins with Cherokee Nation Head Start students Jaide Long and Devin Doctor, in trying out one of the new computer training kiosks donated to the Cherokee Nation Head Start program by IBM. The company donated a total of 10 kiosks, with a value of approximately $20,000, to the program. 
Established by IBM and Career Communications Group, “The Journey” is designed to assist Native Americans with computer technology along with their traditions in partnerships that allow educational and career opportunities and the building of technological skills. The total donation is valued at $20,000.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith said the donation was important to the program because it helps the children learn technical skills at an early age.
“I am delighted to have this partnership with IBM,” Smith said. “This donation is a great way to help our children learn the critical computer skills that will equip them for success in life.”
The kiosks include a fully-equipped IBM desktop computer system, complete with a variety of children’s learning software, including programs which teach math, science, reading, time and place, and critical thinking. The systems will be placed in 10 different Cherokee Nation Head Start programs, including programs in Jay, Moody, Okay, Salina, Hulbert and Tahlequah.
In addition to the donation of the hardware and software, five IBM volunteers from the IBM office in Tulsa also traveled to Tahlequah to assist in building and setting up the systems. Two of the five volunteers, Amanda West and Keith Lehmann, are citizens of the Cherokee Nation.
“I was pleased that the staff was willing to donate their time to set up the equipment in addition to the donation of the actual equipment itself,” Smith said. “It speaks a lot from our Cherokee concept of ga-du-gi, meaning ‘working together.’ I want to thank IBM and their staff for that.”
For more information on the Cherokee Nation Head Start program, call 918-458-4393 or call toll-free at 1-888-458-4393.
| 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 |