Cherokees as eco-warriors

Cherokee Nation honored as an environmental stewardThe Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has been honored as a national, innovative leader in the effort to protect the environment. In recognition of its commitment to improve air quality and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency presented the tribe its prestigious Clean Air Excellence Award.

Ryan Callison, specialist with the Cherokee Nation's environmental program, explained that the tribe became active in ambient air quality monitoring in 1996, establishing a network of criteria pollutant monitors in the states of Oklahoma and New Mexico. As the lead agency in the Inter-Tribal Environmental Council, the nation has been the forerunner in protecting health, natural resources and the environment for the tribal community, according the EPA's Web site. Callison said the tribe is dedicated to providing quality environmental data to rural and tribal communities.