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In what is believed to be a first for an Indian tribe in Oklahoma, Cherokee Principal Chief Bill John Baker declared a state of emergency seeking direct federal assistance following Friday’s tornadoes.

Later Monday, Gov. Mary Fallin issued a state of emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties, including Tulsa.

The Cherokees’ request is unique because tribes usually will go through the state to seek assistance following natural disasters.

But Baker told the Tulsa World on Monday that the Trump administration has signed similar requests from tribes in other parts of the country, “so we have a precedent.”

“So we thought, why not?”

Baker said 822 Cherokee citizens were affected by Friday’s tornadoes, many of whom had permanent homes damaged by the storms.

“So we had to roll out our emergency response teams and they’ve been pretty much on the ground ever since,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t get reimbursed.”

“I hope and pray we have no more disasters in our lifetimes, but with tornadoes and floods and hailstorms ... this won’t be the last time we seek assistance.”