QUAPAW, Okla. – Oklahoma tribes are stepping in and helping with tornado recovery efforts both within and outside their jurisdictions.
Tornadic storms went through the region May 22 and May 24, causing an estimated $8.6 million in infrastructure damage in Oklahoma alone. The EF-5 tornado that leveled parts of Joplin, Mo., killed 134 people.
The Downstream Casino and Resort, operated by the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, is located just inside of the Oklahoma state line and has
many employees who were left homeless by the May tornadoes. To deal with the situation, the casino established home- and ride-sharing
programs for employees who are trying to rebuild.
“There’s been a strong response from the employees,” said Sean Harrison, Downstream Casino and Resort’s public relations manager.
“About 60 employees and their families lost everything and we’ve had team members pitch in by offering to share their houses, apartments and rides to work.”
In addition to helping its employees, Downstream has become a collection point for donated clothes, food and household supplies for
tornado victims, turning a room at the golf course annex into a secondhand store of sorts. Harrison said the casino is giving first
priority to employees of Downstream Casino and Joplin Workshops, a non-profit that provides job opportunities for disabled people, but
donations are pouring in so quickly that they may be able to open it up to more people disaffected by the wicked weather.
“We want to help as many people as we can,” Harrison said.
The casino has established a fund for donations and is housing the American Red Cross at its hotel. In an effort to bring in additional
donations, the casino hosted a charity poker tournament on May 27 and a benefit concert May 29.
The tribe also brought in two local celebrities to give a boost to relief workers. Alongside Quapaw leaders, former University of
Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer and former OU football player Billy Sims met with firefighters, volunteers and victims last week.
The pair signed several footballs for the recovery crews and residents dealing with the tornado’s aftermath.
They (Switzer and Sims) were wonderful about it. It was a huge success,” Harrison said. “To have folks with such frazzled nerves and
see Coach Switzer coming up to offer them a hug, it’s truly something.”
Other tribes are also stepping in to help with recovery efforts.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, headquartered in Okmulgee, sent its emergency management team to Cleora, Okla., located along Grand Lake in Delaware County. The team spent two days clearing debris from roads, driveways and homes.
“Our management team sent a message to the state emergency response office, offering to help where needed,” tribal spokesman Thompson Gouge. “They just happened to be deployed to Cleora and the Grand Lake area.”
Delaware County also saw assistance from the Cherokee Nation. The Tahlequah-based tribe sent clean water and food to help with recovery efforts. Emergency management crews and heavy equipment were also sent to Delaware County to clear debris from roads, providing a clear path to affected homes and downed power lines so crews could restore electricity to the area. Cherokee Nation Marshal Service officers were dispatched the night of the storm to assist Delaware County emergency personnel with recovery efforts.
To help with the Joplin aftermath, 14 students and two instructors from the health occupation trade program of the tribe’s Talking Leaves
Job Corps went to assist with medical relief efforts.
Although a tornado was reported within the tribe’s jurisdiction, the Osage Nation of Oklahoma opened up its counseling center to tribal
citizens in Oklahoma City and Joplin who were victims of wicked weather. Osage citizens in need of assistance are asked to call the
Osage Nation Counseling Center’s crisis line at 866-897-4747.
Tribal officials have checked on the welfare of Osage Nation members who live in the affected areas. They have not found any specific
needs at this time, and emergency officials have indicated that immediate needs are being met.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by these horrific events,” Osage Nation Principal Chief John Red Eagle said in a press
release. “We felt it was our duty as a nation to provide assistance for our tribal members residing in both the Oklahoma City and Joplin
areas who may need help in these trying times.”