Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, along with other Cherokee leaders and staff, gathered in North Tulsa to cut the ribbon on the tribe’s newest elder nutrition site.
More than 100 Cherokee elders attended the grand opening.
“Caring for our elders is rooted in our Cherokee community values and opening our 17th Elder Nutrition Site demonstrates that we take care of our elders. I’m thrilled to see this North Tulsa Elder Nutrition Site open as a dedicated home for our Cherokee elders to gather, share a meal, share our culture and care for one another,” Chief Hoskin said.
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The North Tulsa Elder Nutrition Site, located at 1205 E. 46th St. N., will serve as a place for elders to receive nutritious free or low-cost meals, but will also serve as a place for them to gather and fellowship.
The site will be open Monday through Friday, with meals being served at 11:30 a.m.
“What a blessing it is to see this new elder nutrition site open its doors in North Tulsa. This facility will nourish our elders with meals five days a week, but it will do so much more than that,” Deputy Chief Warner said. “It gives Cherokee citizens in North Tulsa a place to fellowship, while staying connected to their Cherokee roots. I’m grateful the Cherokee Nation can invest in this community for years to come.”
This is the 17th elder nutrition site to open across the reservation, with programs located in Porum, Marble City, Belfonte, Evening Shade, Oaks, Spavinaw, Tahlequah, Dry Creek, Greasy, Kenwood, Caney/Tailholt, Nowata, Sallisaw, Foyil, Stilwell and Dewey. The tribe will add an elder nutrition site in Salina and Catoosa in the near future. The tribe also has an elder nutrition partner in Bowlin Springs.
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All elder nutrition sites offer arts and crafts, games, activities and re
“Providing this elder nutrition site will have a long-term positive impact on those in the community who are looking for help with nutrition and access to a place where they can fellowship and experience Cherokee culture, language and lifeways. I’m excited about the growth of this community and new opportunities to serve Cherokee citizens and our neighbors in North Tulsa,” Cherokee Nation Councilor for District 5 Ashley Grant said
For elders interested in becoming a participant of the tribe’s elder nutrition program and a free meal, they must be 50 years or older and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, spouse (tribal or nontribal citizen) or citizen of another federally recognized tribe. Non-Native citizens or those under 50 can join depending on availability for $8
“We’re going to operate a nutrition program five days a week. It’s a vision of ours to to bring elder nutrition to our community,” said North Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization President Waynetta Lawrie. “This has been a blessing to us and so many people have been waiting for this day.”
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