"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Citizens Disaster Assistance

"Cherokee Nation employees Justin Godwin (front) and Mary Hall answer calls at the Cherokee Nation Disaster Relief hotline center. The tribe set up the hotline center to provide citizens information on applying for disaster relief funds. Cherokee Nation employees Justin Godwin (front) and Mary Hall answer calls at the Cherokee Nation Disaster Relief hotline center. The tribe set up the hotline center to provide citizens information on applying for disaster relief funds."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation is responding to the needs of Cherokee citizens recovering from damages caused by the recent winter ice storm, which left thousands throughout northeastern Oklahoma without electricity, telephone access and water. Citizens are able to apply for disaster relief funds through Friday, February 2, at several locations throughout the Cherokee Nation.

“We are offering assistance because we care about the well-being of our people,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. “Friends, families and communities helped each other as much as possible during the storm. Our rural areas were hit hard and were the last to get their electricity restored – some are still without electricity and water. Cherokee Nation employees went out into our communities assisting with emergency shelters, delivering water, manning chainsaw crews and loaning emergency generators as needed. We saw many acts of kindness and genuine concern for each other.”

During the wake of the storm, the Cherokee Nation delivered thousands of gallons of water to residents, cleared miles of roads in rural areas, and coordinated efforts with local and county emergency management teams.

“Many of our citizens lost freezers full of food and had their homes damaged by the storm,” Smith said. “We have been overwhelmed by the number of citizens asking for assistance. For these reasons, I am calling a special Tribal Council meeting on February 9 at 6 p.m. to request an additional funding to fulfill the immediate need for ice storm victims.”

Tribal officials estimate the the addtional amount needed will be around $1.5 million. However, the actual amount requested will be based on need.

If approved by the tribal council, the additional amount would bring the tribal government’s total disaster relief commitment to approximately $1.7 million. Smith said the funds are for low-income citizens who need assistance to return safely to their homes, and a primary concern is for the frail, handicapped and elderly citizens.

“The Cherokee Nation cares about its citizens and efforts made by our employees are making a difference in our Cherokee communities,” Smith said. "The requests for assistance have been overwhelming. So far, we have received more than 2,900 applications."

The hours at the sites taking applications are being extended to accommodate more citizens. Applicants must be CherokeeNation citizens and live within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. Hours on Thursday, February 1, are from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., weather permitting, in Tahlequah, Muskogee, Pryor, Kansas and Jay. Hours for Friday, February 2, are planned from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., weather permitting, in Tahlequah and Jay. All applications must be received by 7 p.m. on Friday, February 2, to be considered for the funding.

For more information on the application process or on current locations where applications are being accepted, call the Cherokee Nation Disaster Relief Hotline, phone: 918-453-5000 (option 8).