Four Young Leaders in Training Receive Jones-Bowman Awards

CHEROKEE, NC, August 12, 2009 -- Cherokee Preservation Foundation announced today the names of the four recipients of its 2009 grants under the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, which makes awards each year to undergraduate students committed to developing their leadership capabilities.  The program honors the memory and leadership of Principal Chief Leon Jones and Mr. James Bowman, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and founding members of the Board of Directors of Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

Award recipients include:

• Sky Kanott of the Yellowhill community, a junior at Western Carolina University who is pursuing a degree in communications. As president of Di-Ga-Li-I, the Native American Student Association at WCU, she has led efforts to grow the organization, educate students about different tribes and their cultural traditions, and recruit a full contingent of students to live at WCU’s Native American House.  She is working to encourage all Native American students to be involved on and off campus, and eventually she would like to lead the public relations effort of an international corporation.  Sky is a graduate of Smoky Mountain High School.

• Samantha “Sam” Hinojosa of the Snowbird community, who is a freshman at Hawaii Pacific University and plans to major in International Business.  Sam has been an active member of the Snowbird Community over the past two years and put a great deal of effort into Snowbird’s most recent Christmas dinner, raising funds for families in need and doing behind the scenes activities such as taking pictures of children as they opened their gifts.  She says she knows how important it is to elders to see young tribal members helping the community.  She is a graduate of Robbinsville High School.

• Thomas Hunter of the Birdtown community, who is a sophomore at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte pursuing a degree in Sports, Entertainment and Events Management.  Thomas, who has served as a volunteer during community trash pick-ups and at his community gym, is working hard to be a good role model for his family.  When he graduates, he wants to be a promoter.  Thomas is a graduate of Cherokee High School.

• Alyssa Sampson of the 3200 Acre Tract community, who is a freshman at Southwestern Community College preparing for a career teaching early elementary students involved in the EBCI’s language immersion program.  Alyssa, who has served as a volunteer at the Dora Reed Day Care Center and at Tsali Manor, has been part of the “Unto These Hills” cast for 13 years.  She is a graduate of Cherokee High School, where she participated in the school’s basket making program and received an honorable mention award for her white oak baskets during a national competition sponsored by the Heard Museum in Phoenix. 

The new Jones-Bowman Fellows will receive annual funding to participate in individually planned leadership learning programs that include activities such as special academic enrichment and tutoring programs, U.S. and foreign travel, conferences, leadership development training, mentoring experiences and sponsored volunteer service.

Four of the Jones-Bowman Fellows who received awards during the inaugural year of the program in 2008 reapplied to continue with the program and were accepted.  They are Damian Solis, Kevin Jackson, Lucretia Hicks and Samuel “Gerard” Ball.. 

“The Jones-Bowman Award program provides an unusual and wonderful opportunity to develop leadership skills and experiences during the years of undergraduate study,” said Susan Jenkins, executive director of Cherokee Preservation Foundation.  “This learning program is based on the Cherokee tradition of leadership and is about caring for others and giving back to the community. As participants become skilled leaders through the Jones-Bowman experience, the entire Tribe will benefit.”

Jones-Bowman Fellows must be enrolled members of the EBCI, be pursuing formal academic study and enrolled in at least six hours of undergraduate study each term, and show interest in community service and leadership.  For more information about the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, visit  Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s web site at www.cpfdn.org.  See the drop-down menu under Resources and click on the Jones-Bowman Award.

About Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Cherokee Preservation Foundation (www.cpfdn.org) was established in 2000 as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent nonprofit foundation funded by the EBCI from gaming revenues generated by the Tribe. CPFdn is not part of or associated with any for-profit gaming entity. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has made 512 grants totaling nearly $43 million to EBCI and regional projects and programs that address cultural preservation, economic development and job creation, and environmental sustainability. Every dollar of CPFdn support has been matched by $1.83 in secured grants or other funding or in-kind resources, making CPFdn’s total contribution to the region more than $121 million.