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"Justice Nava of Salina Head Start learns to always wear his seatbelt from “Larry,” one of the U.S. Department of Transportation's anthropomorphic crash test dummies." SALINA, Oklahoma - Although grey skies postponed the event from an earlier date, there were nothing but clear skies and beautiful sunshine when Cherokee Nation hosted its annual Fall Festival/Health and Safety Fair in Salina last week. This was the seventh year for the festival, which was held by the tribe’s Early Childhood Unit. “The weather finally cooperated today and it was just fantastic to see the children enjoying all the activities,” said Karen Ryder, ECU Center Operation Specialist. This event is designed to be an alternative to trick or treating and to raise awareness of health and safety, according to ECU officials. Because the event was held after the Halloween holiday, the children were not in costume but were able to visit with a few other characters, such as Smokey the Bear from the Oklahoma Forestry Department and Vince and Larry, the anthropomorphic crash test dummies from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some were a little skeptical of the characters but most of the children were intrigued by their presence. “Vince and Larry told me to always wear my seatbelt,” said Justice Nava of Salina Head Start. Other groups in attendance included the Salina Police Department, which allowed all the children to sit in a real police car and play the siren and lights. Zoo Safari brought exotic animals for the children to pet, including a snake, tarantula and a turtle. Also, the tribe’s Cherokee Heights Indian Child Welfare group from Pryor was there to hand out vital information regarding poison control and prevention. “Our department is about family first,” said Lynette True with Cherokee Nation ICW. “We help families with in-home parenting and Cherokee Nation resources so they may become more self sufficient.” Ryder said the ECU hopes even more families and community members will join in the fun activities and health and safety information next year. For more information about the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit, please call 918-453-5757.

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