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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cherokee Nation General Election sees local incumbents re-elected to Council
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Six incumbents were re-elected to the Council of the Cherokee Nation during the tribe's General Election on Saturday. The incumbents re-elected include Candessa Tehee of District 2, Joshua Sam of District 7, Melvina Shotpouch of District 10, Kendra McGeady of District 11, Danny Callison of District 15, and at-large Councilor Johnny Jack Kidwell. Newcomer Ashley Grant was also elected to District 5. The Cherokee Nation Election Commission is set to meet on Monday to certify the results of the 2025 General Election, which unofficially show 7,714 votes. Newly elected and re-elected Tribal Councilors will be sworn in on August 14. McGeady won the District 11 race with 614 votes, or more than 58%. 'My heart is overflowing with gratitude to all Cherokees in District 11, my family and my dedicated volunteers. I am honored and humbled that you have chosen me to represent you.' Kendra McGeady, District 11 McGeady was appointed to the Tribal Council almost a year ago. 'Representing District 11 is a special responsibility,' said McGeady. 'Northeast Oklahoma holds a special place in the hearts of the Cherokee Nation. As our Nation expands services to Cherokees throughout District 11, I will continue to work to ensure our communities have access to transportation, education funding, and better access to quality health care, close to home. Shotpouch received 376 votes for the District 10 race, more than 70%. 'I am so grateful to have been re-elected to serve for another term on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council,' said Shotpouch. 'Thank you to everyone who supported and believed in me throughout this journey.' 'Your trust and encouragement mean everything, and I will continue to work hard every day on behalf of our citizens. I will never stop being a strong voice for our communities, protecting our sovereignty, and investing in our culture, language, and future.' Melvina Shotpouch, District 10 'This victory belongs to all of us. Wado for the opportunity to serve – you have my deepest gratitude, and I look forward to working for you. Together we will build a stronger Cherokee Nation,' said Shotpouch. In Districts 4 and 9 races, no candidate received the required 50% plus one vote, so voters in those districts will select among the top candidates from the General Election results for a runoff to be held July 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cherokee Nation provides food to children and elders
TAHLEQUAH — The Nowata Food Distribution and Senior Nutrition site celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday. The Cherokee Nation's Senior Nutrition Program provides seniors across the 14-county reservation with weekly meals and opportunities to fellowship with others. 'We opened our first original site here 13 years ago, and now, just 13 years later, we are serving 771 individuals, and I am just so pleased with that,' District 11 Councilor Kendra McGeady said. She said that food sovereignty and the ability to meet your nutritional needs matter in many ways. 'This serves as a hub for fellowship and community, and I think that all those things play into the health and wellness of our citizens,' McGeady said. Cherokee Nation's Nowata Food Distribution Program, which operates in the same facility as the Senior Nutrition Program, serves eligible families nutritious foods and operates in a grocery store environment that allows participants to shop in a comfortable and familiar setting. The Nowata Food Distribution facility serves over 400 homes and 8,400 people through in-person and home-delivered meals annually. The new upgrades and expansion of the facilities are an investment of $2.8 million from the Cherokee Nation. 'These improvements to the Nowata Food Distribution Store and Senior Nutrition Site have been a long time coming. It's an incredible feeling knowing that we need to expand, because that means that Cherokees are utilizing these facilities in this community and surrounding communities,' said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. The Nowata facility houses the tribe's senior nutrition site and food distribution store, which started operating in 2012. The new expansion to the building includes a 1,500-square-foot warehouse, a 400-square-foot conference room, a 500-square-foot dining expansion for the senior nutrition program, and a 1,500-square-foot freezer/cooler. Cherokee Nation is also helping the tribe's youngest citizens with its Summer EBT program, known as 'Sun Bucks. ' This program, offered through Cherokee Nation Public Health's Nutrition Programs, helps families buy nutritious foods during summer. Cherokee Nation expects to serve an estimated 50,000 children this summer, serving all eligible applicants, whether Cherokee or non-Cherokee citizens. Qualifying families will receive $120 in food benefits per child on one benefit issuance on an EBT card, which works like a debit card. Participation in this program will not impact other government assistance participants may receive. The deadline to apply is August 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
