"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Staff Participate in Poverty Simulation

"CN employee Emily Raper was among several employees participating in the recent Poverty Simulation seminar hosted by Cherokee Nation Human Services Group. Participants experienced
the frustrations of those living in poverty."

Tahlequah, OK - Several group leaders, directors, managers and staff members from different Cherokee Nation departments and some members of the Tribal Council recently participated in a simulation to help them understand the frustrations of poverty.

“While we have made considerable progress over the past few years in increasing our effectiveness and efficiency when providing services, we still have room for improvement,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “This exercise was good for our staff and elected officials understand what many of our citizens must face each day.”

The Poverty Simulation, sponsored by Cherokee Nation Human Services Group, was designed to help people understand the frustrations of seeking services from various agencies and to understand the difficulties people in poverty face when trying to improve their situations.

“While the Poverty Simulation was sort of fun, like a board game, it was also eye-opening and made people really think about what it’s like to face poverty on a daily basis,” said Dallas Pettigrew, Special Projects Officer for Cherokee Nation Human Services. “It was interesting to see how many people were forced to make bad decisions. It was also neat to see how creative and resourceful people had to get when the times got tough.”

The simulations placed individuals into family clusters of different ages for the span of four 15-minute “weeks,” simulating one month of living in poverty. The participants had to work with limited resources to try to navigate the social service maze while going to work and taking care of their families. At the end of the simulation, participants were allowed to discuss their experience while hopefully having learned a better understanding of poverty.

Statistics show that approximately one in six Oklahomans live in poverty, with a family of four being considered living in poverty on an income of $20,650 per year. With no other income, a family of three living below the poverty line would be eligible for a maximum of $292 per month to pay rent, utilities, clothing, transportation, insurance and other daily living expenses.

“It was eye opening to see this as real life,” said Stephanie Isaacs, Director of Operations for Cherokee Nation Career Services Group. “Everything that was brought up (in the simulation) happens everyday. Poverty affects the whole community, businesses and individuals alike. This helps bring us back to the realization of those we serve.”