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Cherokee Nation recently contributed $20,000 to four partnership organizations, including a group that raises awareness about Native American issues, a group that assists with child safety, another group that provides shelter and essential needs to the community and a special group that works hard to preserve Cherokee language and history through music.

Contributions were made to the Native American Student Association (NASA) at Northeastern State University, the Cherokee County Chapter of Safe Kids, Hope House of Cherokee County and the Cherokee Adult Choir. Each organization received $5,000 to help fund projects that will benefit the community.

NSU NASA raises awareness about Native American issues and is very active in the community. According to Sedelta Oosahwee, NASA adviser, they plan to use this contribution to help bring speakers and events to campus to help promote awareness of the Native students.

The Safe Kids Cherokee County Chapter is an active community partner dedicated to educating the public about how to prevent childhood injuries. The group promotes local awareness through national programs such as Safe Kids Buckle Up, which includes child safety seat check-ups and child passenger safety training classes for parents, teachers, child care workers and other caregivers. From January through December 2008, Safe Kids gave 210 car seats to eligible parents residing in Adair and Cherokee Counties.

“We are very fortunate to have the financial support from Cherokee Nation to make this a successful endeavor,” said Lynne McAllister, Safe Kids Chairperson. “With this funding, we plan to purchase car seats for low income families.”

Hope House of Cherokee County plans to use the funding from Cherokee Nation to continue providing services to area residents and beyond. The organization provides shelter to those who are homeless, as well as emergency assistance such as utility payments and rental assistance.

Another group to receive a contribution is the Cherokee Adult Choir, which helps preserve the native language through Cherokee hymns. The group currently has twenty members, with eight members who are fluent in Cherokee. Under the guidance of its fluent Cherokee speaking members, the choir has compiled a 65-page Cherokee hymnal. With the Cherokee Nation’s contribution the choir plans to continue with its local functions and record a third music CD this fall.