The
site for a veterans center is cleared and fenced off in preparation to build
possibly this year. In the background is the Warrior Memorial. PHOTO BY WILL
CHAVEZ 


By WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – In September 2009, veterans and tribal leaders broke ground for a veterans center to be built next to the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex.

A year later no definite construction start date has been set, but Norma Merriman, Cherokee Nation Human Services group leader, said she hopes construction begins by the end of 2010. 
 
Human Services is leading the project because it oversees the CN Office of Veterans Affairs and programs. 

“It’s not like your regular build, believe me,” Merriman said. “We’re constantly working on it, but because we are relying so much on volunteers and donations of materials and supplies, it makes a little harder to pin down exactly when we are going to be able to get started.”

She said the CN is relying on volunteers to do much of the work. Volunteers pledged 29,000 hours during a two-year period, but Merriman said there is no way of knowing if all of those volunteers are still willing to help.

“We have a database, but there’s really nothing to call them about as yet,” she said. “At the time we really know we are going to have something started, then we’ll go through that database and look for people who can work in each different phase and call them and begin to schedule them.”

She said when work begins on the building, the CN would solicit more volunteers to help with projects. Also, she said her office would be asking for monetary and material donations once work begins. 

The center’s cost has risen from about $800,000 to $2 million since it was initially envisioned two years ago. Revisions and costs for materials account for most of the increase, Merriman said. 

The CN is providing $500,000 for the project and is contributing labor through tribal programs.

“We’re still looking for a lot of contributions of supplies and skilled labor,” she said.

People or groups wanting to help may call Avo Fivekiller at (918) 453-5647. 

The 8,700-square foot building will sit on the site of the former tennis courts, which were part of a motel the tribe once operated. Work crews have removed the courts and fenced off a construction area. 

Included in the building will be space for veterans’ services, counseling offices, a kitchen area, library and community room. A special “Hall of Honor” museum will present the stories of individual Cherokee veterans. In accordance with Cherokee tradition, the building will face east. 

Merriman said a core group of seven people from the CNOVA, Communications, Human Services and Resource Management meets every two weeks to discuss the center’s plans. 

The group includes a construction project coordinator on loan from Flintco Construction. 

“He’s an engineer that works with Flintco. That is their contribution. They have given him to us for a year,” Merriman said. “He’s put together a materials list and a list of what we have to do at each step.” 

Merriman said though the CN is building the center, it is for all veterans. However, she said some veterans’ programs have funding guidelines and may not be available to everyone. 

“It does not matter if they’re Native or non-Native. Anyone who is a veteran, it is for them and their families,” she said. “Our services for veterans have always been open to any veteran and will continue to be when this building’s built.”

According to government statistics, Native people are the most highly represented ethnic group per capita in the U.S. armed forces. Because of this, the number of Native veterans has grown steadily with each war and conflict, creating the need for more services and gathering places.

“The philosophy is that veterans have sacrificed for us all. They have laid down their lives for all of us. This is a time for the community, the state and Nation to give back in a way to help build this edifice that says ‘thank you,’” Merriman said. 

will-chavez@cherokee.org • (918) 207-3961