The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina is helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The tribe donated $7,500 to Hearts With Hands, a local organization helping with disaster relief. Harrah's Entertainment, the company that manages the tribe's casino, kicked in an additional $7,500.

The tribe gave 1,296 cases of water to the Mississippi Band of Choctaws so the Choctaws can distribute the water to Katrina evacuees. The tribe also gave jobs to about a dozen former employees of Harrah�s-owned casinos affected by the hurricane.

Meanwhile, tribes continue to address the devastation caused by Katrina. Members of the United Houma Nation, a state-recognized tribe, have lost homes and property in one of the worst-hit areas in southern Louisiana.

The National Congress of American Indians, which sent staff to view the destruction [Photos], is pledging to assist all Indian people affected by the storm. The National Indian Gaming Association is also raising funds.

Donations for the National Congress of American Indians fund can be sent to the National Congress of American Indians 1301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036.

Donations for the National Indian Gaming Association fund may be sent to the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation, attn: Hurricane Katrina Fund, 224 Second St. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003.

Get the Story:
Tribe, Harrah's kick in for Katrina (The Asheville Citizen-Times 9/14)
Louisiana tribe surveys the damage (The Native American Times 9/14)
Houma Nation homes underwater (Indian Country Today 9/13)

Relevant Links:
National Indian Gaming Association - http://www.indiangaming.org
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org

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Mark Trahant: Katrina testing limits of charity (9/12)
Oklahoma tribes contribute to Katrina relief efforts (9/8)
Connecticut tribes offer casino jobs to Katrina victims (9/8)
Tribes continues response to Hurricane Katrina (9/7)
NIGA hopes to raise $1M for Katrina relief efforts (9/6)
Tribes respond to Hurricane Katrina disaster (9/6)
Mississippi Choctaws hit by Hurricane Katrina (9/1)
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe welcomes hurricane refugees (8/31)