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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation youth are celebrating Entrepreneurship Week USA and proving that by learning business skills and learning early to save that even the youngest tribal citizens can control their financial futures. Entrepreneurship Week USA is a week long effort that runs from February 24 through March 3, which seeks to celebrate the power, creativity, imagination and innovation of young business leaders of tomorrow. “The Cherokee Nation was proud to be invited to take part in activities that help our youth prepare for their futures,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “I am very proud of all that our young Cherokees have accomplished by taking part in this test program.” The Cherokee Nation is one of 12 community organizations across the country that is testing the potential of universal children’s accounts as part of the Saving for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Downpayment (SEED) initiative. The tribe offered 75 SEED accounts to Cherokee foster youth and American Indian students. Each accountholder received an initial deposit of $500 in 2005 and can earn a dollar-for-dollar match and saving incentive up to a total of $2000. As of June 2006, SEED participants had accumulated more than $83,179 in their accounts, including matching funds.

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