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"Current Little Miss Cherokee Chelbie Turtle performs during the July Council meeting." TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted unanimously on a recommendation to assist hundreds of Cherokee students seeking higher education with the addition of $825,000 in scholarship funds available to qualifying students. The funds will provide up to $1,000 per semester in scholarships to students who qualify for federal PELL grants. The tribe already offers scholarships to Cherokee students who are not eligible for the PELL funds. “To build leaders, we need to support the education of our young people and higher education is becoming increasingly cost prohibitive,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “These young people are our best and brightest and we need to show our interest in them by helping them through school.” There was some discussion by the Council to clarify the act to reflect changes in federal laws pertaining to PELL grants. At-Large Council member Jack Baker clarified the proposal to approve the measure, making it subject to changes in federal law and appropriations. In other business, the Council unanimously approved a budget modification for the tribe and the submittal of a youth program application. During the monthly State of the Nation address, Smith recognized Ballou community volunteer James Lee Baker, who worked over 300 hours assisting with the community’s waterline project, which is part of the tribe’s self-help initiative. “He is a shining example of ga-du-gi,” Smith said. Baker countered by saying how much he appreciated the tribe’s efforts to bring water to the Ballou community. “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t feel like you owe me any appreciation. It’s more that I owe you; and I appreciate it,” Baker said. In addition, Smith recognized four Cherokee veterans, Gary Lester of Braggs, Calvin Eugene Transue of Coffeville, Kansas, Lawrence Baty of Redmond, Oregon and his father Perry Baty of Grove. As an added treat, Little Miss Cherokee Chelbie Turtle was recognized and performed a song to the Council and to those in attendance.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

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

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org