TAHLEQUAH, OK – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner have signed an agreement with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO) allowing eligible low-income Cherokee citizens to receive legal services for a variety of needs.
Cherokee citizens who are already receiving services from an existing Cherokee Nation low-income assistance program can receive referrals to LASO through the Cherokee Nation Human Services Department.
“This is something that is very much needed in the Cherokee Nation, providing additional services to our people,” said Chief Hoskin. “Often, we find a way to do that through partnerships like this agreement with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. First Lady January Hoskin has long advocated for our citizens who need somewhere to turn for legal services. With this agreement, we can assist victims of crime, but also help people who face other barriers: housing, issues with finance, troubles in a workplace or barriers to health or barriers to wellness. Sometimes in unique situations, even becoming a Cherokee Nation citizen requires legal services to navigate the process. With this agreement, more Cherokee citizens will be eligible to receive legal help.”
The partnership will provide a number of areas of assistance, from housing and eviction legal services to providing court representation for unemployment insurance benefits, bankruptcy, debt, student loans, car titles, payday loans, driver’s license restoration and other financial situations.
“Cherokee citizens would often ask me about services available, and one service people would ask me about is, ‘Do you provide a lawyer?’ and I hated to have to say no,” said First Lady Hoskin. “It was often people who had no means to afford a lawyer, and they really needed legal help, and so they were taken advantage of or had to stay in bad situations because they didn’t have access to that. I’m really happy we can do this now and provide them the assistance they need.”
Deputy Chief Warner said he has often referred eligible Cherokee citizens to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma.
“This new agreement will make the process for obtaining legal representation easier for eligible citizens,” said Warner. “I couldn’t think of a better department to help us with this than the Human Services department at the Cherokee Nation.”
Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh said every Cherokee deserves due process. “Anytime as leaders that we can help those in need who don’t have the means to help themselves, I think it’s our duty to do this,” said Shambaugh.
Citizens who are eligible for these services must reside within the Cherokee Nation reservation, must meet established income qualifications, and must already be serviced through an existing Cherokee Nation low-income program.
Referrals will be made on the basis of service needs determined by an evaluation by Human Services. Cherokee Nation citizens should not contact Cherokee Human Services with the expectation of getting an immediate referral to legal aid.
“When you are low-income and are dealing with landlords, debt collectors, whatever it may be, they have attorneys, but if you can’t afford your own, you are at the mercy of people who have resources you need,” said Michael Figgins, Executive Director of Legal Aid Service of Oklahoma. “Today, we’re going to equalize that equation, so low-income Cherokee citizens who go to Cherokee Nation Human Services now have access to legal counsel to get what they need, to have the denials reversed, to preserve their housing and their status.”
