TULSA, Okla. — Cherokee Nation is helping out school districts that decide to bypass Oklahoma law and implement mask mandates.
A Cherokee Nation spokesperson told 2 News Oklahoma on Thursday that they're donating masks from their Personal Protective Equipment facilities to any school districts on their reservation that require masks for staff and students.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. spoke out against the state's mask mandate ban on Wednesday as several districts welcomed students back into classrooms.
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"I am mystified as to why the state of Oklahoma has made it illegal for Oklahoma public schools to do the same," Hoskin Jr. says.
"As Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, I am strongly encouraging all school systems on our reservation and across the state to follow these best practices to protect students, teachers, staff, visitors and members of their households."
Cherokee Nation schools Sequoyah High School and Cherokee Immersion School require masks.
Hoskin Jr. praised Hulbert Public Schools -- a district in Cherokee County -- for its decision to opt for a mask mandate after being forced into virtual learning this week.
"Proud of the leadership of Hulbert, OK, schools," Hoskin wrote.
"@CherokeeNation stands with schools resisting the state ban on common sense public health measures in schools."
Cherokee Nation is also getting masks to its municipalities, posting a picture Thursday of Hoskin Jr. delivering 5,400 surgical masks to the City of Stilwell which has a mask requirement for its government buildings.
Today Chief @ChuckHoskin_Jr donates 5,400 three-ply surgical masks made from our PPE facility in Stilwell to the City of Stilwell and Mayor Jean Ann Wright for their city government buildings which have a mask mandate in place. pic.twitter.com/qoOJi3GrVt
— CherokeeNation (@CherokeeNation) August 19, 2021
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