Cherokee Nation announces new funding for health and wellness programs

The Cherokee Nation announced new funding Friday for health and wellness programs for community centers.

The Cherokee Nation is holding its community groups in Catoosa this weekend.

Everyone can benefit from $2.1 million in new funding to encourage healthier lifestyles.

There are 86 groups represented to help provide resources provided by the Cherokee Nation.

Abby McLemore of Chewey works in a town without many other resources.

“If we need anything, Kansas, Oklahoma, is the closest place, or Westville,” Abby said.

Funding from the Cherokee Nation will create new health opportunities, especially in small towns.

“People need to understand that these 86 organizations exist primarily in rural areas that do not have access to the amenities that people often take for granted and that they are often the center of very small communities,” said the head of the Cherokee Nation, Chuck Hoskin Jr.

In Marble City, citizens can use fitness equipment at the new community center that just opened.

The new $21 million Kenwood Center has practice space, as well as courts and playing fields for both traditional and modern games.

“So there are young Cherokees who, maybe for the first time, are connecting with a traditional game like stickball, and they’re getting physically fit, but they’re just there to have fun, but it’s win-win for the entire community,” the chief said. Hoskin Jr. said.

The Cherokee Nation will provide $25,000 to each community group and let them decide how to spend it.

Cherokees are building new clinics, like the one in Vinita, but also spending more on prevention to reduce smoking and encourage physical activity.

“They come and talk to us about eating healthy, wholesome recipes,” Whitmire said.

The chief said the new $25,000 grant would be annual.

They will also start paying their electricity bills to help community groups build their capacity to help their neighbors.