Community Impact

Stronger Together

Citizen after citizen comments on how fortunate Oklahoma is to have tribal nations headquartered here. They use words like “generous,” “steady,” “vibrant” and “strong” to describe the tribal presence and impact. And they tell story after story of how these same tribes are benefiting communities — supporting them in ways seen and unseen.

We found out that the tribe bent over backwards to step in and go the extra mile to help us. Not only fund, but also supply us with enough water to open our facility.

Travis Hurst

Pastor, Faithco Church

Tribes Fight Childhood Hunger

Many low-income families throughout Oklahoma struggle to put meals on the table during the summer months after the school year ends. The summer nutrition EBT program provides essential funding to qualifying families, whether they’re tribal citizens or not, to ensure the most at-risk children get the food they need. When tribes noticed a void in their communities, they stepped up to fill the gap, working with schools, families and each other to take care of the people that need it most.

It makes me proud as a father, as a family member, to be able to reach out and help those other families and serve those children.

Bryan Warner

Deputy Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation

With the Coronavirus pandemic, tribal nations have once again stepped up. From providing initial testing to supporting those in need and delivering vaccinations, tribes have been a valuable community partner. You can read more about the tribal response to the pandemic below.

The tribes have a unique history and a unique perspective to say, you know, we understand that we’re all stronger when we’re stronger together.

Alison Anthony

President and CEO

Tulsa Area United Way

Tribes don’t exist in a vacuum, they live in communities. And they help build bridges, they help with the schools, they help with law enforcement and they work side-by-side with municipal and the county governments to provide services to people throughout those communities.

Kevin Washburn

Asst. Secretary of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs (2012-2016)