"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Employee Receives Environmental Award

(Left to right) Al Armendariz, EPA regional administrator, John and Lawrence Starfield, deputy EPA regional administrator.

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - A long time Cherokee Nation employee has been honored for her outstanding achievements and involvement with environmental protection and tribal issues in Indian Country. Nancy John, Cherokee Nation Environmental Programs director, was recently presented with the Jan Stevens Award for EPA Excellence.

Nancy John, director of Cherokee Nation Environmental Programs, was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Jan Stevens Award for EPA Excellence. This award is presented to an individual in the EPA’s Region 6 area that displays leadership and management skills in protecting the environment on tribal lands, develops the capacity of tribal environmental programs and contributes to building intertribal and intergovernmental relations. EPA Region 6 includes Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

“This award was especially important to me because Jan was a close friend of mine and I had the opportunity to learn from her leadership and witness the contributions that she made to address environmental issues,” said John.

John has been with the Cherokee Nation for 16 years. She is currently responsible for the administrative oversight and implementation of various tribal programs, as well as working with staff providing technical services to the member tribes of the Inter-Tribal Environmental Council, a consortium of 41 tribes located throughout Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.

She currently serves as a tribal delegate to the EPA’s National Tribal Operations committee. John also assisted with the establishment of the EPA Region 6 Regional Tribal Operations committee and is the representative for the Cherokee Nation.

John has worked on a wide range of projects during her time with the Cherokee Nation including monitoring for clean air and water, environmental reviews and abatement of toxins such as lead-based paint and radon. She has been an active advocate for tribal environmental issues.

“I was truly honored to receive a nomination and especially so when the award announcement was made this year,” said John. “I have always tried to advocate for the advancement of tribal environmental programs along with the rest of our staff in various forums with EPA and other federal agencies.”