MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program began its latest series of community outreach work by holding three youth camps promoting cultural arts.
These events took place in different cities across the Mvskoke Reservation. The first was held in Zarrow Regional Library in Tulsa on July 15, the second was held at the Wetumka Indian Community Center in Wetumka on July 16, and the third was held at the Bristow Indian Community Center in Bristow on July 17.
The camps had three activities for attendees to enjoy, such as creating cultural pinch pots out of air-dry clay. Attendees could also make hairpipe bone necklaces, and bead a miniature cowboy hat.
From the perspective of TANF Tribal Youth Supervisor Tishia Sewell, the camps have been a success, and TANF is excited to do more events like it. “Each camp has been great! The youth who attended made each day new and exciting,” Sewell said. “Their eagerness to learn and grasp each activity has made it such a rewarding feeling for our staff and department.”
Sewell also hopes to do more events like this to continue their work of reaching out to the community and educating citizens on Mvskoke culture. “Our goal is to reinforce positive activities to our youth and to keep them focused on becoming culturally focused individuals,” related Sewell.
“We want our upcoming youth to be enriched with knowledge and an awareness of who they are, what they’re capable of, and how important they are to their tribe and community.”
For more information on the work that TANF does, visit their website at https://www.muscogeenation.com/department-of-community-and-human-services/tanf.
