Cherokee Nation Helping Neighbors In Need

Thursday, January 18th 2007, 10:37 am

By: News On 6

In situations like this week, with ice covering a large part of eastern Oklahoma, state residents have become experts in helping their neighbors in need. The Cherokee Nation showed us how the tribe is pitching in.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says there was nothing to rush home to, in rural Cherokee County. Tree branches are still breaking and power lines are still down.

Cherokee Nation principal chief Chad Smith: "It's just amazing how in the rural areas that downed trees and downed power lines prohibited people from getting out and getting to those things like water, warmth and family friends."

Mary Bendabout has been without water for four days. "We're melting the ice for the toilets and everything."

"They're real thankful, really needed." Kenwood resident Johnny Backwater: "As far as bathing and toilet we can go to the creek and get that, but drinking water is what we really needed."

That's where the Cherokee Nation is helping the most. The tribe is getting bottled water by the truckloads. Then pickup trucks take as much as they can to the places that need it most. Like the community of Welling, where willing volunteers unload case after case of the valuable resource at the local fire station.

In Kenwood, the demand's been overwhelming. Johnny Backwater: "Yesterday we had 280 and probably 100 more and we run out of water. And today the count so far is 337." But for many, it's the only thing that's helping them get back to somewhere near normal.

Mary Bendabout: "That helps because it helps with our cooking. Everybody's eating chili and stew and you need water to cook so, you need drinking water.â€

The Cherokees have delivered more than 6,500 gallons of water this week. Chief Chad Smith says the tribe can now focus their attention on helping clear icy roads.