May 30, 2025

logo
google_play
app_store
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
    • Special Sections
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
      • Special Sections
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Expanding
Columns & Opinions
July 4, 2023
CHIEF CHAT

Expanding WIC services for healthier Cherokee families

In the first years of any child’s life, parents should be able to focus on loving and nurturing them. They should never have to worry about getting enough healthy food. Fortunately, for a majority of mothers and young children across the country, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is a lifeline. This federal program provides nutrition education, food, baby formula, breastfeeding support and other essential help for pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants and children up to 5 years old.

In the first years of any child’s life, parents should be able to focus on loving and nurturing them. They should never have to worry about getting enough healthy food. Fortunately, for a majority of mothers and young children across the country, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is a lifeline. This federal program provides nutrition education, food, baby formula, breastfeeding support and other essential help for pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants and children up to 5 years old.

Cherokee Nation operates WIC on our reservation in northeast Oklahoma, and we know our program improves the health of Cherokee families. Now I am proud to announce an expansion of our success. Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Cherokee Nation the country’s largest Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) grant, valued at $1 million over the next 18 months.

Our program serves everyone who meets income guidelines, and Cherokees make up about 60% of participants. This new funding will help us reach even more families across the 7,000-squaremile Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Joining WIC can mean a much stronger, healthier start for children and new mothers. However, currently only about half of the eligible families in northeast Oklahoma are benefiting from this incredible program. Improving our WIC outreach efforts is crucial.

Expanding the WIC program is not just about providing food. It is about empowering families with the knowledge and resources to make healthy choices. With new dollars we can increase outreach, gather data and conduct surveys in communities to raise awareness about WIC. This will help us identify the places that we can make improvements long term.

One of the exciting initiatives that will benefit from this expansion is the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. We recently announced a separate USDA partnership with area farmers’ markets across the reservation to provide WIC participants with a $30 benefit added on an eWIC card for healthy fruits and vegetables. That $244,000 USDA grant will support local farmers and encourage healthier eating.

Cherokee Nation also plans to launch the First Steps to Hope program soon to help reduce the adverse effects of poverty on Cherokee newborns. Eligible WIC participants will receive an additional $400 monthly stipend for up to 18 months or until their child turns 1 year old. This pilot program, funded by the tribe’s ARPA dollars, addresses the immediate needs of families, including food, while also providing resources for long-term self-sufficiency. We will evaluate the impact of this short-term program to better inform future efforts at providing basic income support to Cherokees in need.

We encourage all eligible families to apply for the WIC program and take advantage of the array of services it offers. Living within the Cherokee Nation Reservation is the primary eligibility factor, and individuals do not have to be Native American to qualify. We are grateful for the USDA’s partnership and support in expanding our WIC program.

Cherokee values teach us to invest in our children and young families. We continue to advocate for policies and programs that address the underlying factors, like poverty, education and access, that lead to food insecurity and Native health disparities. Together with our federal partners at USDA and other agencies, we are providing the tools for Cherokees to lead healthier and longer lives.

Families can learn more about the WIC program by calling 1-800-2560671, ext. 5589, or visitinghttps://www. cherokeepublichealth.org/WIC. Set up your appointment today.

this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Cybersecurity disagreement sparks question of commitment to county assessor’s success
A: Main, Main, News
Cybersecurity disagreement sparks question of commitment to county assessor’s success
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
May 29, 2025
For much of the past nine months, the Sequoyah County Commissioners have expressed their confidence in and expectations for success from County Assessor Brandy Dobbs. “We want you to have what you nee...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Pastor set to appear before judge
A: Main, Main, News
Pastor set to appear before judge
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
May 29, 2025
A Sallisaw pastor charged with lewd or indecent proposals to a child under the age of 16 in Sequoyah County District Court following allegations made against him in 2023, has now been scheduled for a ...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Homeless woman who exposed herself set for docket
A: Main, Main, News
Homeless woman who exposed herself set for docket
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
May 29, 2025
A homeless woman who reportedly exposed herself to others at Moffett School has now been scheduled for an August 6 felony disposition docket in Sequoyah County District Court. Destiny M. Seladones, 27...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Theresa Cunningham
A: Main, Just Folks, Main, ...
JUST FOLKS
Theresa Cunningham
Price
By JADE PHILLIPS TIMES INTERN 
May 29, 2025
Theresa Cunningham, 42, is a mother of five who has spent just over 20 years working and being a part of Sequoyah County. Originally from Arizona, she grew up a city girl but that changed after she ma...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Fishing Report for May 28, 2025
Sports
Fishing Report for May 28, 2025
May 29, 2025
EUFAULA: May 23. Elevation is 7.5 feet above normal and falling. The water temperature is 60 degrees and murky. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jerk baits and...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Hamilton commends governor for signing SB 599 into law
News
Hamilton commends governor for signing SB 599 into law
May 29, 2025
Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, issued the following statement after Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 599 into law over the weekend. Senate Bill 599 strengthens Oklahoma’s legal response to ...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}



SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES
111 N. Oak
Sallisaw OK
74955

918.775.4433

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Sequoyah County Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy