Cherokee Nation honored as an environmental steward

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Full article from Indian Country Today may be found here:

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415369

7/9/20007

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has been honored as a national, innovative leader in the effort to protect the environment. In recognition of its commitment to improve air quality and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency presented the tribe its prestigious Clean Air Excellence Award.

Ryan Callison, specialist with the Cherokee Nation's environmental program, explained that the tribe became active in ambient air quality monitoring in 1996, establishing a network of criteria pollutant monitors in the states of Oklahoma and New Mexico. As the lead agency in the Inter-Tribal Environmental Council, the nation has been the forerunner in protecting health, natural resources and the environment for the tribal community, according the EPA's Web site. Callison said the tribe is dedicated to providing quality environmental data to rural and tribal communities.

''It's an honor to be viewed as a national leader in tribal air quality,'' Callison said. ''I'm very proud of our environmental

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

To many an Indian, the Environment/Earth and how we treat her is often seen as a sacred duty....and an outward sign of one's own inner sanctity.

Be mindful as a nurse that the Earth, Nature, and the Environment may be seen as a sacred issue to a Native patient.