"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Holds 3 On 3 Basketball Tournament

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation will be hosting a 3 on 3 basketball tournament to help participants of the Saving for Education Entrepreneurship and Down-payment (SEED) Program raise money for college and other educational needs. The tournament will be held on Saturday, July 14, beginning at 8 a.m., in the Place Where They Play located on the campus of Sequoyah Schools south of Tahlequah. It is co-sponsored by the tribe’s Commerce and Indian Child Welfare departments.

“The Cherokee Nation is proud to help our young people prepare for their educational futures,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It’s great to see our departments working together to promote programs that work for the good of our citizens.”

The SEED initiative is helping low-income Cherokee youth to build financial security over a four year period. Participants attend financial literacy classes and hold fundraisers throughout the year. The Cherokee youth who were chosen to take part in the program have active savings accounts are encouraged to deposit money into the accounts on a regular basis.

“The SEED Program helps to empower our Cherokee youth by helping them build resources,” said Gina Martinez, SEED Coordinator. “I am proud to say that the Cherokee Nation SEED program is the only Native American SEED program and one of only 12 in the United States and Puerto Rico. I encourage everyone to come out and help these young people save for their future.”

The basketball tournament is open to male and female teams with two age divisions, grades 9-12 and an adult division for players 18 years of age and older. Each team may have a maximum of five players. The entry fee is $40.

For an entry form or for more information contact Gina Martinez, phone: 918-207-3834 or Heather Baker, phone: 918-431-4115.