Daryl Legg, in black shirt, with Cherokee Nation leaders: Chuck Hoskin, far left, Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden and Chief Bill John Baker, far right. Photo from Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is helping members of federally recognized tribes stay out of prison.

Daryl Legg, who served three prison sentences, is the tribe's director of vocational programs. As part of the “Coming Home" program, he's helping people who were just released from incarceration with education, job training and other skills.

“These are our folks,” Legg told The Fort Smith Times-Recor. “Especially from the culture we’re in, we always welcome our folks back into our tribe. We bend over backwards to help them all.”

Since the program began a year ago, 51 out of the 53 participants have stayed out of prison, Legg said. His efforts were recognized last month when he was honored as part of the White House Champions for Change initiative.

“We must open doors of opportunity for our people, not keep them closed," Cherokee Chief Bill John Baker said in a press release.

Get the Story:
Monday Matters: Three-Time Felon Now A ‘Champion Of Change’ (The Fort Smith Times-Record 7/28)

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation man being recognized as Champion of Change (6/27)