Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Cherokee Nation’s Career Services recently kicked off its 2006 Employment and Training Youth Leadership Program with an orientation session in the Tribal Council Chambers at the Cherokee Nation complex south of Tahlequah.
Debra Pritchett of CN Career Services, preparing for the 2006 Youth Leadership Program. 
The Youth Leadership Program, offered every summer since the mid-1970s by the Cherokee Nation’s Career Services department, provides participants with the opportunity to become familiar with the Cherokee Nation’s tribal government and administrative functions. Participants are placed internally in Cherokee Nation offices, where they are paid to work 40 hours a week. During their internship, they develop decision-making and leadership skills.
Guest speaker at orientation was Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
“We want to create and help students achieve high expectations. We want to create in students the awareness that they can learn to support their families and help rebuild the Cherokee Nation through what they learn in this program this summer,” Smith said.
For young people who want to work for the Cherokee Nation on a permanent basis, the youth leadership program is a good place to start.
“Cherokee Nation often hires these youth leaders full time when they finish the intern program,” said Larry D. Ketcher, director of employment and training for Cherokee Nation’s Career Services.
On July 28, the program will end with an awards banquet.
Basic eligibility criteria require that applicants reside within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county tribal jurisdiction; meet U.S. Department of Labor eligibility criteria (including income guidelines); be between the ages of 18 and 21 (inclusive); be of Cherokee descent and be an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation; have never been married and have no dependents; submit two letters of recommendation from school administrators and/or counselors and/or former employers; and have maintained a 3.0 GPA or above for the most current school year. An interview is also required.
Male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service System if aged 18 or older or be exempt from registering. Former interns of this program may not apply.
Applications are still being accepted for the Youth Leadership Program at the following area Cherokee Nation offices: Bartlesville (918-256-8595, first and third Mon.); Catoosa (918-266-2828); Jay (918-253-3243); Miami (918-256-8595, fourth Wed.); Muskogee (918-687-0201, ext. 241, first and third Thurs. afternoons); Pryor (918-825-7988); Sallisaw (918-776-0416); Stilwell (918-696-3124); Vinita (918-256-8595); Warner (918-463-3694 (first and third Thurs. mornings); and Tahlequah (918-453-5555 for information).
For additional information on this summer’s Youth Leadership Program, call Debra Pritchett in Career Services, phone: 918-453-5348.
| 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 |