CHEROKEE NATION — While many Americans are struggling under threats to democracy and the rule of law, citizens of Cherokee Nation have another focus: Gadugi. The word is a central tenet of the Cherokee culture, and reflects a spirit of lifting each other up and working together.
In 2023, Cherokee Nation formed the Gadugi Corps, a group of volunteer Cherokee Nation citizens whose aim is to help other Cherokees through direct actions. The result is a healthy and prosperous citizenry who are able to not only support each other, but preserve the Cherokee culture through their good works.
Modeled after AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, Gadugi Corps has several areas of focus. The first is helping Cherokee children, who benefit from the Gadugi Corp’s reading partnerships with local elementary schools on the vast Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma.
The Cherokee Nation stretches from the state border of northeastern Oklahoma down to parts of historically Black north Tulsa.
Gadugi Corps has steadily grown over the last two years, and Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr believes that in the future it will see even more opportunities to support Cherokee communities. “Gadugi Corp’s vision is of a united and uplifted Cherokee Nation, and the ability to help our citizens both on and off our lands,” he said.
Building a stronger community
First started by Shawn Crittenden, Gadugi Corps initially focused on both education and emergency response. In 2023, when tornadoes hit Claremore, a small city with a large Cherokee population, Gadugi Corps was ready.
Members and Cherokee Citizens immediately got underway clearing tree branches and checking on elders and other vulnerable citizens, some of whom had lost electricity and running water. The Corps now stands ready for other natural and man-made disaster situations.
This group of Cherokee citizen volunteers stands in stark contrast to the American culture of individualism and a bootstraps mentality. Twice-impeached convicted felon Donald Trump has even floated the idea of dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a government organization that provides disaster relief to Americans.
But leaving people high and dry is not the Cherokee way. “Gadugi Corps creates a ripple effect of positive change, and reflects our strong, united Cherokee values and people,” said Principal Chief Hoskin Jr. about the program.
On a recent episode of Cherokee: Wherever We Are, one participant, college student Seth Brown, spoke about his commitment to supporting his Tribe. “I believe if you can give back to your community, you should, because you will get back whatever you put in.”
The Gadugi Corps: 700 members and growing
Mr. Brown, who studies communication at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation reservation, also appreciates the opportunity to volunteer.
“Our young Cherokee people have the spirit of compassion and the desire to help others,” said Shawn Crittenden, one of the founders of Gadugi Corps, who also remarked on the program’s aims and potential.
The Corps has plans to expand to critical prevention services, even as Trump’s plans to “drill, baby, drill” upsets the natural balance of Oklahoma’s lands, with a potential to cause hurricanes. Climate crisis has also affected Cherokee Nation citizens, who have seen extreme weather patterns over the last few years in Oklahoma.
The Corps currently has 700 volunteers, with more citizens signing up daily online. That is the Cherokee Nation way, concluded Principal Chief Hoskin, who stated plainly, “If it involves caring about your neighbor, and work ethic, Gadugi Corps is there.”
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