The True Meaning of Community Helping Community

In Keetoowah history, communities came together to help one another in time of need. A family's home burned down or loss of a family member, people in the communities would come together and provide food, clothing, shelter or cut and gather wood for the family. This tradition was called s-ga-du-gi (community helping community). In the true meaning of the word the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma still practice this tradition today. It is a tradition that has been practiced from generation to generation by the Keetoowah Cherokee people.

Carrying on this tradition the United Keetoowah Band has organized a coalition, the "Warmth of Love" committee, committed to providing aide to the Keetoowah elders and tribal members in the communities within the nine districts.

Many Keetoowah Cherokee elders live alone and many others provide care for their grandchildren and do not have the resources to repair or winterize their homes. With this in mind, a committee was formed to recruit volunteers to go out into the communities and provide help to the Keetoowah Cherokee families who are in need. The volunteers provide their time to go to homes to assist in home repairs, winterization and cleanup. The "Warmth of Love" committee requests and receives monetary contributions, donations of household items and aide from individuals and organizations to help with the cost of repairs and cleanup. Tribal members even volunteer to prepare meals for the workers.

"We hope that others will be motivated to help. You don't have to be a professional to be out here, if you can push a broom, use a rake, pick up trash, you can be a valuable volunteer," said Sue Gaytan, Tribal Victims Assistance Program Advocate. "The need doesn't stop here with repairs and cleanup, we are asking people to donate any furniture that is usable, that is still in good condition and they have no need for it, if they can give us a phone number we can contact them, and we will come by and pick up the furniture. We know a lot of people who have their homes burned out and need furniture, dishes, anything to restart their lives."

The motivation for this committee is not for praise or recognition, but for the love of their Keetoowah people. No political ties, no pats on the back, just people who want to make a difference in helping people. This is the Keetoowah Cherokee tradition. This project will be ongoing with a family within the nine districts of the United Keetoowah Band hopefully being assisted every month.

Members of the "Warmth of Love" committee are Rod Fourkiller, General Manager, Keetoowah Cherokee Casino; Sue Gaytan, Tribal Victims Assistance Program Advocate; Sonya Cochran, Director of Tribal Victims Assistance Program and Indian Child Welfare; Brenda Locust, Specialist Events Coordinator; Hominy Littledave, Community Service Coordinator; and Jim Teehee; Security Officer, Keetoowah Cherokee Casino.

"We want to thank Chief George Wickliffe; Assistant Chief Charles Locust; and Tim Good Voice, Administrative Officer; for their support in this project. They were very instrumental in helping with all of this. If it wasn't for their understanding and compassion, this would have never happened, we are very grateful for this," Stated Gaytan.

To volunteer for this project or for more information please contact, Sonya Cochran or Sue Gaytan at 918-456-9200 or you can call toll free 1-800-794-6514.