By Associated Press
Tahlequah, OK – Keetoowah Band gets self-governance nod from US
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians says the federal Interior Department has approved its application for the agency's Self-Governance Program.
The announcement made last week culminated years of effort intended to obtain the designation.
Participation in the program will give the tribe greater flexibility in its use of Bureau of Indian Affairs funding for tribal programs.
In a news release, the tribe said it outlined several programs on its application, including those in the areas of education, economic development, law enforcement, fire protection, employment assistance and housing assistance. The tribe said it hopes to add several other programs serving children, families and older people.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com