Choctaw Nation
Deidre Elrod
DURANT – Choctaw Nation Medical Reserve Corps Unit received four awards during the opening session of the OKMRC Volunteer Workshop Friday, Aug. 3.
The Nation’s volunteer group made up of nearly 100 volunteers were recognized and awarded with the Outstanding Housing Organization Award, Picture of the Year and Innovator Award.
The Innovator Award was received for one of its recent youth programs available through the unit called the Tvshka Himitta. Tvshka Himitta meaning “young warrior” is a program that strives to encompass the warrior spirit.
The Choctaw Nation Office of Emergency Management and CNMRC Unit plan to make the Tvshka Himitta youth program a key element in strengthening the region’s preparedness and response system.
Natural disasters, post-disaster recovery, firefighter rehabilitation, and emergency preparedness training are a few of the many volunteer opportunities through the CNMRC.
Choctaw volunteer Paige Nutter received the Outstanding MRC Responder Award for multiple wildfire and hurricane responses, as well as her commitment to continued training to make sure she is capable and credentialed for emergency response.
“It’s very rewarding to give my time to serve the Choctaw Nation and the state of Oklahoma,” Nutter said. “My hope is that through my service I will make a difference in individuals’ lives at sometimes one of the worst times they may go through.”
Please contact Dempsey Kraftlearn, at dkraft@choctawnation.com for more about the Choctaw Nation Medical Reserve Corps.