TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - The Cherokee Nation is donating $455,000 to firefighters in 130 volunteer and rural departments throughout northeastern Oklahoma.
The Tahlequah-based tribe plans to present the money at a ceremony honoring more than 500 firefighters on Tuesday. Tribal officials say the money will help fire stations buy equipment, fuel and other necessities.
The tribe also plans to name two departments as a “Volunteer Fire Department of the Year,” and recognize five volunteers as “Volunteer Firefighter of the Year” during the banquet at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
The Cherokee Nation is one of the country’s largest American Indian tribes, with 320,000 members.
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