Cherokee Nation employee named Oklahoma Special Olympics Coach of the Year

I’m so happy for Bea Dougherty being named 2013 Special Olympics of Oklahoma Coach of the Year in Oklahoma. It is well-deserved recognition. She inherently embodies the values we hold in such high regard at the Cherokee Nation: dedication and commitment to youth, community and family. I respect the time and energy Bea invests in her athletes, encouraging them to set individual goals and train with them to attain their dreams. Bea, who works as a family social worker for the Cherokee Nation Child Development Center in Tahlequah, received the title...

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"Remember the Removal" riders leave for Georgia

The 2013 Remember the Removal Bike Ride commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Tears. 15 young Cherokee nation citizens will spend the next three weeks on bikes retracing their ancestors’ footsteps along the northern route, which passes through seven states. These men and women will retrace our tribal nation’s route to Oklahoma – from our ancestral homelands in the east to our current capital city. It will be a personal and life-changing...

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Cherokee Nation on standby to help Moore tornado victims

Words simply cannot describe how heartbreaking the scene in Moore and the surrounding area is, and will continue to be. Our hearts, minds and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the two dozen victims and their families, a number which includes at least nine innocent children. The Cherokee Nation is in constant contact with emergency management teams in the area, and we have offered every available resource to assist with rescue, recovery and ongoing support. Teams of volunteers, including the Cherokee Nation...

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A Message for New High School Graduates

All across America, Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation, high school seniors are preparing to graduate, and are busy making plans for their futures, whether they go directly to work or choose to continue their education. It is an exciting time, and life offers a series of options. I remember my graduation from Tahlequah High School like it was yesterday, even though it has been a little bit longer than that. It was a time of both possibility and uncertainty. Like many high school graduates, I didn't know for sure what I wanted to do or what...

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See You at the Stilwell Strawberry Festival

​The 66th Annual Stilwell Strawberry Festival will be held this weekend and the Cherokee Nation will be in the parade and have info booths set up. Every year, crowds of thousands come to Stilwell to sample the local berries. Go to www.strawberrycapital.com for more informatio...

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Did you know....Cherokee Female Seminary Hall history

Did you know... The original Cherokee Female Seminary Hall was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday of 1887. On May 7, 1889, the rebuilt site was dedicated from the second story porch behind the east wing of the building. The Cherokee Female Seminary was the one of the first institutions for higher learning for women west of the Mississippi. Its original site was located where the Cherokee Heritage Center is today. Pillars that...

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New Inter-Tribal Council President

(Left) Assuming the duties of Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes President today from Chief George Tiger of the Muscogee Creek Nation. We hosted the meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.I look forward to working for this organization as chairman in the upcoming year. I think together we can achieve great things for our collective tribal nations. It is the spirit of cooperation that fuels our mission as an Inter-Tribal Council. Together,...

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Cherokee Nation hosts U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

The Cherokee Nation recently hosted New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall in Tahlequah and showed him the successes of our housing, education and health care programs. As a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Udall has earned a well-deserved reputation as a principled leader who has the integrity to do what is right for sovereign tribal governments. Without a doubt, Sen. Udall is one of the biggest champions for Indian Country in Con...

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One Fire Center Launched

The Charles L. Head ONE FIRE Center was created to immediately wrap our arms around women and children who have survived domestic violence and child abuse. We will provide our Cherokee women and children a safe haven from dangerous situations. And we will help them begin the healing process through our Cherokee Nation programs. We will work to meet their needs for health care, jobs, housing, legal counsel and other services. It...

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