Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation invites input from Cherokee citizens during a series of informal, conversational meetings on hunting, fishing and related issues. The meetings will be held in the next few weeks in Muskogee, Tahlequah, Bell, Claremore and Sallisaw and are open to the general public. Information gathered by the Cherokee Nation’s environmental programs department will be incorporated into a new written tribal hunting and fishing code.

"The Cherokee Nation has tremendous natural beauty as well as natural resources," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "It’s important that we use our land and water resources wisely to preserve their beauty and usefulness for future generations."

"Enacting a wildlife code is one way we can exercise authority as a sovereign nation to ensure that our fish, wildlife and other natural resources are protected for the benefit of both present and future generations of Cherokees."

"These meetings are designed to gather advice and hear concerns from tribal citizens on issues like hunting, fishing, plant gathering and environmental protection," said Clint Carroll, Cherokee Nation environmental technician. "These will be critical meetings for citizen input on these issues. This is an important tribal initiative that can succeed only through the participation of all its citizens, and it is hoped all citizens who can will attend."

Meetings have been scheduled in Muskogee on Tuesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Muskogee Public Library (801 W. Okmulgee); in Tahlequah on Thursday, July 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Tsalagi Community Room at the Tribal Complex (behind the restaurant next to the gift shop); in Bell on Friday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Bell Community Building; in Claremore on Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. at the Claremore Senior Center (116 N. Missouri Ave.); and in Sallisaw on Friday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation building (3807 W. Cherokee, at the old Whitmire Western Store). Meetings will last about one hour, and refreshments will be served.

For additional information on these meetings or on the hunting and fishing code, contact Clint Carroll in the Cherokee Nation Environmental Programs Department, phone: 918-453-5370.

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