Dr. Stephen Jones, Health Services executive director, said the vaccine is available at four CN health facilities.
âThe Pfizer for 12 to 15 is available at our clinics now. The clinics that have Pfizer are Muskogee, Tahlequah, Vinita and Sallisaw,â he said.Â
Jones said the Pfizer vaccine would be available at the smaller CN health facilities at least three days a week. Walk-ins for youth to get the vaccine are available, though it is recommended for their parents to make appointments.Â
âWe are working through our pediatric providers also to get as many people vaccinated as want vaccinated. We are working off of a walk-in type system but it is better for us if we know someone is coming,â Jones said.
TULSA â Cherokee Nation Entertainment is fighting hunger via a partnership with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and a contribution of more than $37,000.
According to a CNE press release, the funds are being donated on behalf of casino patrons who visited CNE gaming destinations this spring and chose to donate their cashout vouchers to the cause.Â
âOur company, alongside Cherokee Nation, has been a longtime supporter of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and it is a passion we share with many of our guests,â said CNE President Mark Fulton. âPlayers often have remaining change on their vouchers that they can redeem at one of many kiosks throughout the casino floor, but during the recent coin shortage, we began looking for alternative solutions. In just a short time, the generosity of our patrons generated a significant contribution to a vital community resource, and we couldnât be more thankful or proud.â
TAHLEQUAH â Face masks are now optional for casino guests, according to the Cherokee Nation Businesses boss.
âOn Friday, we did adopt a âmasking optionalâ policy for our patrons,â CNB CEO Chuck Garrett said during his May 17 Tribal Council report. âOur employees continue to have a mask mandate. But our guests are now able to make that decision on their own. Whether theyâve been vaccinated or not, they can take into consideration their own personal situation.â
The Cherokee Nation operates 10 gaming venues throughout northeast Oklahoma. When COVID-19 began spreading in early 2020, CNB casinos were closed for several months, followed by a âcareful, phased process to responsibly reopen,â a facet of which was mandatory masks, according to CNB.
TAHLEQUAH â Four cyclists and two mentor riders from the Cherokee Nation will participate in the 2021 âRemember the Removalâ Bike Ride in June, retracing an estimated 950 miles along the northern route of the Trail of Tears by bicycle.Â
The ride spans from Georgia to Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma over nearly three weeks.Â
This yearâs CN riders are Shace Duncan, 18, Stilwell; Whitney Roach, 22, Tahlequah; Melanie Giang, 21, Claremore; Kaylee Smith, 20, Tahlequah; Ronnie Duncan, 48, Stilwell, mentor rider; and Tracie Asbill, 39, Tahlequah, mentor rider.
The cyclists began training in December 2019 and were originally scheduled to participate in the ride during the summer of 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 ride to be canceled. The program is now implementing a number of safety precautions this year to allow the participants to complete the journey.Â