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From left to right, Denise Rooster, Janie Wagnon, Dobson Rooster, Pamela Fisher, Megan McGowan, Joshua Fisher, Donald Childers, Dawn Dry, Carolyn Ballard, Steven Carr, Pamela Rusco, Judy Garner and Guest Speaker and Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member John Ketcher. Not pictured are Dixie Philpot and Darlene Standingwater.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Thirteen area residents recently completed the requirements for graduation from the economic literacy class offered by the Cherokee Nation Commerce Department.

The economic literacy class, taught by Pamela Fisher, is a 12-hour course focusing on developing spending plans, managing checking and savings accounts, understanding credit and credit reports, and the loan application process.

"This class has helped demystify the credit reporting process", said Pam Rusco, course graduate.

"I’m a single mom, so I’m looking for any program that will help me manage my finances", said Dawn Dry, course graduate.

"I try to incorporate a lot of guest speakers", Fisher said. "I want it to be interesting and informative."

Guest speakers include various representatives from Superior Bank, and Maggie Hunton, a representative with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

"The one thing this class does is empower people to create a relationship with the bank", said Sue Floyd, representative from Superior Bank. "The more informed they are, the better. Our industry is definitely customer service driven, so the more you know, the better service you can expect."

This was the first time that the Cherokee Nation had offered this class to the public. In the past, it was only offered to people participating in the Cherokee Nation Individual Development Account (IDA) program. The Cherokee Nation IDA program is a savings program, which teaches people how to save and spend money wisely, and rewards them for doing so by matching the funds they have saved over a given period of twenty-four months.

"Based on the results and enthusiasm of the class, we anticipate offering this course to the public in nine other counties throughout the Cherokee Nation", Fisher said. "So many of the students have actually tracked what they spend and could not believe how much of their spending was unnecessary. It’s just good to know that we are able to help people make better financial choices."

The graduates are Dobson Rooster, Denise Rooster, Judy Garner, Pamela Rusco, Carolyn Ballard, Joshua Fisher and Donald Childers all of Tahlequah. Janie Wagnon of Eucha, Steven Carr of Fort Gibson, Megan McGowan of Hulbert, Darlene Standingwater of Locust Grove, Dixie Philpot of Pryor, and Dawn Dry of Park Hill.

There is no charge to participants for taking the course. The Cherokee Nation, Fannie-Mae Foundation, Consumer Credit Counseling Service and Superior Bank, supply all of the materials for the course including dinner on class nights for participants.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation economic literacy classes or the IDA program, please contact Pamela Fisher, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext. 2834).

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

Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671