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"Blue Ribbon Tree" The Cherokee Nation recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month with a special Blue Ribbon Tree near the playground at Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. The tree is officially registered with the United States Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, which coordinates the special recognition each year.The Cherokee Nation recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month with a special Blue Ribbon Tree near the playground at Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. The tree is officially registered with the United States Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, which coordinates the special recognition each year. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Cherokee Nation is helping raise awareness about child abuse and neglect by encouraging individuals and communities to support children and families with a special presentation on Tuesday, April 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers. In addition, the tribe will represent the children of its community at the state capitol during a special event recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Day. “April is the designated time of year when we urge everyone to get involved in helping raise awareness about this important issue,” said Patricia Hawk, Cherokee Nation Public Health Nursing Supervisor. “We urge everyone to play a part in not only keeping Oklahoma children safe, but also in helping families and caregivers thrive.” A Blue Ribbon Tree has been registered at Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. The blue ribbon is the international sign for child abuse prevention and serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe. April was proclaimed the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 and since then, child abuse and neglect awareness activities have been promoted across the country during April of each year. The United States Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) coordinates Child Abuse Prevention Month each year, and provides information and updated national statistics about child abuse and neglect. Today, the Child Abuse Prevention Initiative is an opportunity for communities across the country to keep children safe, provide the support families need to stay together and raise children and youth to be happy, secure and stable adults.

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