TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - A year after the Cherokee Nation launched its innovative Gadugi Corps volunteer program, more than 2,000 volunteers stepped forward to help on hundreds of projects in critical areas of disaster relief, education reading camps, youth mentorship and other community service needs.

In its first year, the volunteer and national service program now has an established database of 2,400 Cherokee citizen volunteers by region that can be called upon in times of need. It has helped more than 80 elementary students in reading camps and has 17 designated communities signed up for professional development for training on basic emergency response to aid in natural disasters.

"The root of Gadugi goes back to our ancestors who held a sense of community. When someone was in need, the community would rally to help. Gadugi Corps embodies this tradition still today as a value that is still very much a part of our core beliefs and actions," Chief Hoskin said. "The first year of Gadugi Corps has been an extraordinary success, and we expect even greater volunteerism and service in our communities, and to help further our Cherokees in need in 2025."

On the anniversary of the program implementation, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner announced a new "Gadugi Corps Legacy Living Initiative" and "Senior Companionship Program."

"Many of our elder Cherokees are single, and some may have limited family support in which this volunteer initiative tailors ways for them to be active and contribute in their tribal communities in an organized way," Deputy Chief Warner said. "Gadugi at its core is all of us working hand in hand and supporting each other for the whole of our tribe."

Some of the ways elders will be able to volunteer include handwritten notes for the tribe's school backpack programs or Valentines for Veterans, stuffing packets for conferences or Cherokee National Holiday or helping with Emergency Preparedness packets or homelessness care packages.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announces the new Gadugi Corps website and a new streamlined process to enroll for volunteering, on the one-year anniversary of the program's implementation.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner also rolled out the Gadugi Corps webpage and access on the Gadugi Portal providing a more streamlined way for citizens to explore and sign up for all volunteer opportunities.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner signed an executive order establishing a task force on volunteer and national service and signed Gadugi Corps into law in December 2023, which kicked off the program in 2024.

Since launching the Gadugi Corps Volunteer and National Service Act, the grassroots initiative has empowered Cherokee Nation citizens across the reservation and beyond to act in their communities and help give back to the tribe. Derived from the Cherokee value system, the word "Gadugi" emphasizes unity and working together.

Through the Gadugi Corps program, Cherokee Architect Zane Wyatt who lives in Arizona was able to mentor students at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah about job opportunities in STEM fields, what high school and college courses might be beneficial and how to pursue career opportunities in architecture.

"The ability to make meaningful connections and give back to my fellow Cherokees on the reservation no matter where I am is invaluable to me," Wyatt said. "Gadugi Corps gives me the opportunity to carry out the teachings of our ancestors to come together in the spirit of Gadugi and give back to the communities that gave us so much."

Gadugi Corps connects individuals to opportunities for helping others building lasting community bonds and solving local challenges. In 2025, the Cherokee Nation aims to grow the program to more than 10,000 volunteers.

"Cherokee people live by these values of helping one another and fostering community well-being. Gadugi Corps gives back to our communities in accordance with our traditional beliefs, bringing this cherished concept to life in today's world," said Shawn Crittenden, deputy director of CCO and who oversees Gadugi Corps. "By having a robust database of Cherokees across the country eager to help when their communities face emergencies or need assistance also ensures that when the call for help comes, we can respond quickly and effectively like we always have as a tribe."

Gadugi Corps welcomes participation from Cherokee citizens nationwide, also enabling those who live outside the reservation to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The program's foundation in history, culture, and service speaks to its broader mission. "Gadugi" is central to the Cherokee identity, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and unity that has long defined the community. Gadugi was historically associated with collective labor where community members would rally to support those in need, from helping in the community to caring for the sick. These principles continue to guide the program today.

For more information about volunteer opportunities or to join the Gadugi Corps, please visit https://gadugi-corps.cherokee.org/

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