TRIBES · TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMATAHLEQUAH, OK
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ
Cherokee Nation
Every Cherokee Nation program in Okla’s catalog, in one place. 55 serve the Cherokee Nation 14-County Reservation. 38 are open to citizens of other tribes too.
66 programs across 13 categories.
Education
12 PROGRAMS Camp Cherokee Free STEM and cultural summer camps for Cherokee youth in grades 1-12. Citizens only · Nationwide Cherokee Nation At-Large Undergraduate Scholarship $2,500 per semester for first Associate's or Bachelor's degree, for Cherokee citizens living anywhere in the United States — not limited to the… Citizens only · Nationwide Cherokee Nation Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship Tuition support for Cherokee high school juniors and seniors taking college courses concurrently with high school. Citizens only · Statewide Cherokee Nation Foundation Scholarships 30+ named scholarships ($1,000-$5,000 each) awarded by the Cherokee Nation Foundation. Citizens only · Nationwide Cherokee Nation Graduate Scholarship $2,500 per semester toward a first Master's or Doctorate. Citizens only · Service area Cherokee Nation Undergraduate Scholarship $2,500 per semester toward a first Associate's or Bachelor's degree. Citizens only · Service area Cherokee Youth Leadership Programs Youth leadership and recognition programs including the Tribal Youth Council (ages 15-22), Miss Cherokee, Junior Miss Cherokee, Trail of Tears… Citizens only · Nationwide College Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) Up to $1,000 per semester toward on- or off-campus housing for full-time college students, for a maximum of 8 semesters. Any tribal citizen · Service area GED / Adult Education Free, self-paced GED preparation and adult basic education. Any tribal citizen · Service area Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) Program Supplemental cultural and academic enrichment for K-12 students in public and tribal schools. Any tribal citizen · Service area Talking Leaves Job Corps Free residential career training in trades including Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, CNA, Phlebotomy, Electrical Wiring, Building… Open to all · Income based Vocational Training Programs Tuition-supported vocational training in Building Trades, Business Technology, Fiber Technician, Registered Nursing, and Surgical Technology. Citizens only · Service area
Financial Assistance
11 PROGRAMS Burial Assistance Financial help toward funeral costs for deceased tribal members. Any tribal citizen · Income based Cherokee Nation Child Support Services Tribal child support services including establishment, enforcement, and modification of support orders for Cherokee Nation cases. Service area Children’s Clothing Assistance $150 per child toward back-to-school or seasonal clothing. Citizens only · Income based Community Shield Homeowner Insurance Subsidized HO3 homeowners insurance policies offered through AMERIND Risk for tribal member homeowners on the reservation. Any tribal citizen · Income based Emergency Housing Assistance HUD/NAHASDA-funded assistance to help address homelessness in the Cherokee Nation. Income based General Assistance BIA-funded financial help for essential living needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Any tribal citizen · Income based Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) COVID-related financial assistance for mortgage payments, property taxes, and homeowners insurance to help Cherokee homeowners avoid foreclosure. Citizens only · Income based iSave Matched Savings Program Matched savings program that provides a $4 match for every $1 the participant saves, up to $10,000 total, used for home improvements. Any tribal citizen · Service area LIHEAP Energy Assistance Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program covering heating assistance, summer cooling for elderly and disabled households, and crisis intervention to… Any tribal citizen · Income based Tribal Emergency Assistance Short-term crisis assistance for 24-48 hour emergencies such as hunger, imminent shelter loss, medical peril, job loss, or family breakdown. Citizens only · Income based VITA Free Tax Preparation Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides free federal and state tax preparation for households earning under $69,000 per year. Open to all · Income based
Housing
8 PROGRAMS Cherokee Military Housing — Mige Glory Addition Dedicated housing in the Mige Glory Addition in Tahlequah reserved for Cherokee veteran citizens. Citizens only · Service area Housing Rehabilitation Major and minor home repairs for existing homeowners. Any tribal citizen · Income based Low-Rent Housing HACN-owned rental units where rent is set at 30% of adjusted household income. Any tribal citizen · Income based Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Up to $25,000 toward down payment and closing costs for first-time homebuyers. Any tribal citizen · Income based New Home Construction HACN builds a new home on land donated by the applicant under a 30-year lease-to-own arrangement. Citizens only · Income based ONE FIRE Victim Services ONE FIRE (Our Nation Ending Fear, Intimidation, Rape, and Endangerment) provides free, confidential victim advocacy, court advocacy, and transitional… Open to all · Service area Rental Assistance (Tenant-Based) Tenant-based rental assistance where the participant picks their own unit and HACN pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. Citizens only · Income based Tsa-La-Gi Apartments Section 8 rental assistance apartments in Sallisaw reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. Any tribal citizen · Income based
Employment
8 PROGRAMS Career Skills Education Classes Walk-in workshops covering resume writing, interview preparation, professional communication, and job search skills. Service area Coming Home Reentry Program Reentry support for Cherokee citizens involved with the justice system. Service area Jobs / Tribal TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families — cash assistance, job training and placement, crisis assistance, youth incentives, diversion assistance, and… Any tribal citizen · Income based Recovery Employment Program Wraparound support for Cherokee citizens in or completing substance misuse treatment. Citizens only · Service area Small Business Micro Loans Micro loans from $100 up to $25,000 at 4% (the Cherokee Nation Prime Rate) for tribal member entrepreneurs launching or growing small businesses in… Any tribal citizen · Service area Summer Career Exploration & Career Pathways Two summer programs: Career Exploration for ages 14-15 (introductory experience) and Career Pathways for ages 16-24 (paid $11/hr for 6 weeks… Service area Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Protects tribal employment preference rights, handles discrimination complaints for Native workers, and provides Native business certification for… Any tribal citizen · Service area Vocational Rehabilitation Employment support for tribal members with disabilities. Any tribal citizen · Service area
Child Care
7 PROGRAMS AmeriCorps Early Childhood Tutoring Free one-on-one tutoring for children ages 2-5 provided by AmeriCorps members through Cherokee Nation Education Services. Service area Cherokee Foster Parent Recruitment Recruits and supports foster families for Cherokee children in need of placement. Any tribal citizen · Service area Child Care Resource & Referral Free child care referral service open to any family in the service area. Open to all · Service area Child Care Subsidy Subsidies that help pay for licensed child care so parents can work, attend school, or enter job training. Any tribal citizen · Income based Child Development Centers Five Cherokee Nation Child Development Centers serving children from 6 weeks through age 12. Service area Guardianships & Adoptions Assistance with guardianships, adoptions, and ICWA-related legal processes involving Native children, available nationwide under the Indian Child… Any tribal citizen · Nationwide Indian Child Welfare — Child Protective Services & Court Advocacy Investigates child abuse and neglect involving tribal children and provides court advocacy in tribal, state, and out-of-state proceedings under the… Any tribal citizen · Nationwide
Mental Health
5 PROGRAMS Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Individual, group, family, and crisis counseling for grief, trauma, and substance use. CDIB holders · Service area John A. Ketcher Youth Services Center Free 24/7 emergency youth shelter for runaway, homeless, abused, or neglected youth. Open to all · Service area Making a Change (MAC) Program Structured intervention and support program for at-risk youth ages 10-17. Service area Veteran Readjustment Counseling Readjustment counseling for veterans provided in partnership with the Tulsa Vet Center. Open to all · Service area Warrior Wellness (SSG Fox Suicide Prevention) Comprehensive wrap-around support for veterans funded by the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. Open to all · Service area
Elder Care
5 PROGRAMS Cherokee Family Caregivers Program Respite and support for Cherokee family caregivers who care for elders age 55 and older, or for grandparents raising grandchildren. Citizens only · Service area Elder Advocacy Services Social workers at 5 field offices (Sallisaw, Jay, Catoosa, Vinita, Tahlequah) help Cherokee elders access benefits, resolve crises, and navigate… Citizens only · Service area Elder In Need (EIN) Energy Assistance Energy bill assistance specifically for Cherokee elders age 60 and older. Citizens only · Income based Elder Nutrition — Congregate & Home-Delivered Meals Congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals for Native elders across the Cherokee Nation reservation. Any tribal citizen · Service area Elder Victim of Crime Advocacy Advocacy to help elder victims of crime navigate law enforcement, courts, and social services and access restorative resources. Service area
Food
4 PROGRAMS Cherokee Nation Food Distribution Program Grocery-store-style food distribution operating since 1983 at 8 locations: Tahlequah (admin), Collinsville, Jay, Nowata, Salina, Stilwell, Sallisaw… Any tribal citizen · Income based Cherokee Nation WIC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program providing supplemental food, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support. Open to all · Income based Summer EBT (SEBTC) Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children — approximately $30 per child per month from May through July to help families cover grocery costs… Open to all · Income based Veteran Food Outreach Supplemental food distribution for veterans every 90 days at rotating sites in Tahlequah, Baron, Nowata, and South Muskogee. Open to all · Service area
Medical
2 PROGRAMS Cherokee Hearing Aid Program Hearing aid coverage through Cherokee Nation Health Services audiology. Any tribal citizen · Service area Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) — Opioid Use Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder combining FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy and case management. CDIB holders · Service area
Legal
1 PROGRAMDental
1 PROGRAMSubstance Abuse
1 PROGRAMVeterans
1 PROGRAM02 / ABOUT THE TRIBE
About the Cherokee Nation
- Federal recognition
- Federally recognized as “Cherokee Nation” in the Bureau of Indian Affairs list (91 FR 4102, January 2026).
- Headquarters
- Tahlequah, Oklahoma
- Service area
- Cherokee Nation 14-County Reservation: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington counties, Oklahoma.
- Citizens
- More than 470,000, per the Cherokee Nation.
- Official website
- cherokee.gov ↗
03 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Common questions
Do I have to be a Cherokee Nation citizen to use these programs?
Not always. Of the 66 programs Okla lists, 19 are for Cherokee Nation citizens only; 24 are open to citizens of any federally recognized tribe; 3 are open to anyone with a CDIB card; and 11 are open to everyone. For 9 others, check with the program. Each program page spells out who qualifies.
Do I have to live on the reservation or in the Cherokee Nation service area?
55 programs are limited to the Cherokee Nation 14-County Reservation (Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington counties, Oklahoma). 10 programs are available to eligible people anywhere in the United States. The rest have their own service areas, listed on each program page. Use “Find my programs” at the top of this page to check against where you live.
How do I become a Cherokee Nation citizen?
Citizenship (enrollment) is decided by the Cherokee Nation, not by Okla. The tribe’s enrollment page explains the requirements and how to apply. Main line: 918-453-5000.
How do I apply for Cherokee Nation programs?
Each program has its own application. Open a program above to see who qualifies, how to apply and the official link. Okla is an independent directory, not part of the Cherokee Nation or any government agency, so always confirm details with the program before you apply.