Bill John Baker: Cherokee Nation puts citizens back to work

Cherokee Nation was the only tribal government to join 32 other state governments in receiving the DOL’s Jobs Driven National Emergency Grant funding. We estimate more than 300 tribal citizens will receive vital training and be able to reenter the workforce through this program.

The best way to help our unemployed citizens is to help them get back to work as soon as possible. That’s why it is so important to equip Cherokee Nation citizens with the training and skill sets that employers in Oklahoma are searching for.

The tribe is partnering with area businesses and employers in the fields of health care, office support, education and construction to connect our citizens with quality jobs. For example, VIP Technology Solutions Group, a Tulsa-based telecommunications business that specializes in high quality voice and data business equipment, has hired five Cherokee employees in the past four months and will continue to hire more employees as their business grows.

Our goal is to find careers for as many tribal citizens as we possibly can in our 14-county jurisdiction. Teaching people the skill sets they need to secure good-paying jobs will not only benefit Cherokee families, but also bring business and commerce to our communities.

We are appreciative of the U.S. Department of Labor for having confidence in the Cherokee Nation to fulfill this role. Last month, we received notice that Cherokee Nation was also selected for funding of the Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant, which will help us expand our partnerships to develop strategies in workforce development. It will also allow us to build on the successes we’ve enjoyed through the Job Drive National Emergency Grant.