Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
SKIATOOK, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation has recently donated one-quarter of a million dollars to county fire departments within the 14-county jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilors Buel Anglen, District 8, and Johnny Keener, District 6, join with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith in announcing a $250,000 donation to fire departments within the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation during a recent press conference in Skiatook. Over 360,000 acres and 220 homes have been destroyed by recent wildfires plaguing the state, most being within the lands of the Cherokee Nation. 
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith joined with joined with Bruce Mahaffey, Executive Director of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD), and Ed Crone, Executive Director of Grand Gateway Economic Development Association, in the official signing of the agreements. Grand Gateway and EODD will in turn give the $250,000 to the county fire departments, based on their need. Agreements have already been set as to how much each county will receive from the total donation, and funds will be provided to each of the 14 counties within the Cherokee Nation.
“We are pleased to announce this donation of a quarter of a million dollars to help replenish the resources of the fire departments within the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation,” Smith said during a recent press conference in Skiatook announcing the donation. “Most of the devastating grass fires we have had recently in the state have been in the lands of the Cherokee Nation. We are pleased to be a partner with the fire departments located here in this area and help them in their important work.”
To date, over 360,000 acres have been burned in the recent wildfires that have been plaguing the state, with over 220 homes destroyed. Oklahoma has suffered a period of severe drought, with the last five years being considered as the driest in the history of the state, including the historic dust bowl days.
“This season has taken a lot of funds from the departments,” Mahaffey said. “Many firefighters have started paying for items from their own pockets to cover expenses. By working together, we are able to get a lot more done.”
Cone agreed, stating that Mayes County firefighters were the first to begin feeling the financial burden the fires were causing. He also thanked the Cherokee Nation for the much needed donation, and said the Cherokees have “long been partners” in these types of efforts.
The individual firefighters have showed gratitude to the Cherokees for their donation as well. Jerry MaGee, a shift captain with the Skiatook Fire Department, called the donation “a godsend.”
“We are running out of funds,” MaGee said. “We will be able to use this money to replace burned up equipment and replace bunker gear.”
Skiatook firefighter Terry Newman said he thinks it is great that the Cherokee Nation cared enough about all the people living in the area to make a donation of this size.
“I think it’s great that the Cherokees thought of us,” Newman said. “We need money for things like boots and rakes that burn up fighting these fires. We greatly appreciate what the Cherokee Nation is doing for us.”
For more information on the fire department donations, contact the (CNCSD) Cherokee Nation Community Services Division, phone: 918-453-5000.
| 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 |