Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner to increase elder assistance

WHAT:
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner to increase elder initiatives signing a directive Wednesday at Annual Elder Summit in Tahlequah.

WHEN:
Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Southern Region Elder Summit
Cherokee Casino Tahlequah - Chota Center
3307 S. Seven Clans Ave.
Tahlequah, OK

WHO:
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Deputy Chief Bryan Warner
Council of the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation Cabinet members
Cherokee Nation Human Services
Cherokee elders

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner to announce and sign directives at the Southern Region Elder Summit that will increase elder assistance, adding new nutrition sites in the reservation and increase eligibility for utility assistance payments.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner will announce and sign directives increasing the tribe's Elders in Need program for on-reservation elders over the age of 60 by 50%, from $400 to $600 payments to utility companies.

It will also expand eligibility for EIN from 1,400 participants to 4,200 participants, a 200% increase in participation.

The tribe also plans to add new elder nutrition sites in Tahlequah, Salina, Catoosa and Locust Grove in fiscal year 2027 and remodel elder nutrition sites in Oaks, Foyil and Porum in fiscal year 2027.

An Elder Summit for the Northern Region was held Monday in Catoosa with more than 1,000 elders attending.

Last year, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner launched an expansion of the tribe's elder nutrition, program using Public Health and Wellness Fund Act dollars and this year builds even more into the program.