T here are three federally-recognized Cherokee tribes in United States , and two of them call Tahlequah home . The Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians both have a rich culture and history intertwined with the northeast corner of Oklahoma . Despite their people being forcibly removed from their original homelands , the two tribes have persevered and have contributed significantly to the landscape and success of the region . As the tribes have grown , they have developed a vast number of service agencies , including education opportunities , housing , employment , health care , and food distribution . Both tribes share cultural actives and experiences for those looking to learn more about the country ’ s first citizens . Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah have walked a similar path ever since the Cherokees walked the Trail of Tears and established the city as their new capital . The Cherokee Nation has always enthusiastically supported the city ’ s growth . The tribe is headquartered out of the W . W . Keeler Complex .
With more than 390,000 citizens , the tribe has extended its reach across the entire country , and roughly 141,000 live within the CN reservation . It employs approximately 11,000 people in northeastern Oklahoma . The tribe has a major economic impact on Oklahoma , as the tribe injects billions of dollars into the state on an annual basis .
Those eligible for Cherokee Nation citizenship must be direct descendants from someone on the Dawes Rolls , which
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were closed March 5 , 1907 . Documentation must be provided for national citizenship and a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood card . More information and downloadable forms are available at www . cherokee . org .
Citizens living in the Nation ’ s reservation may purchase tribal motor vehicle tags , or at-large tags , if residing outside Oklahoma . To establish registration , a vehicle owner must visit a tribal tag office and present a title , and an odometer disclosure statement on vehicles less than 10 years old . A bill of sale and insurance verification are also needed , as are a valid driver ’ s license and proof of tribal citizenship . The driver ’ s license address or a utility bill dated within the previous 30 days can be used as proof of residence .
The Cherokee Nation is able to provide employment through Cherokee Nation Businesses , W . W . Hastings Hospital and several medical clinics , social services , the Housing Authority of Cherokee Nation , Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Cherokee Nation Industries . The Nation applies a preferential hiring process for Cherokees , and American Indians in general . Around 80 percent of the Cherokee Nation workforce is Native American .
A variety of popular events and attractions are offered by
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the tribe every year , including the Cherokee National Holiday , which coincides with Labor Day weekend . Tourists pour into Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation by the thousands to celebrate the holiday , observed since 1953 to commemorate the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution , which re-established the tribe ’ s sovereign government . The treaty remains in force today . Over the threeday holiday , American Indian vendors sell art , crafts and jewelry . A variety of traditional games like stickball are played at different locations around Tahlequah . The only parade announced in both Cherokee and English occurs during the weekend , marching down Muskogee Avenue .
The State of the Nation Address is given by the principal chief on the courthouse square during the holiday . Immensely popular is the Intertribal Powwow , which presents southern strait , northern traditional , fancy dance , jingle and other indigenous dance styles . Indian Country Today has listed the event as the second-largest powwow in the U . S .
Visitors have a chance to learn about Cherokee history and traditions through a variety of museums and cultural centers in the city . The Cherokee Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization that has a rich exhibition of traditional Cherokee culture . Other museums include the Cherokee National Prison Museum , Cherokee National History Museum , John Ross Museum , Sequoyah ’ s Cabin Museum , Saline Courthouse Museum , and Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum .
The tribe has a variety of services it offers to Cherokee Nation citizens , including programs to help people find employment , enhance
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their business , and improve the overall quality of life for Cherokee families . For more information about the Cherokee Nation , call 918-453-5000 .
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
While the tribe ’ s original homelands were in the southeastern part of the U . S ., many of its citizens moved west before the Trail of Tears officially began to avoid U . S . encroachment . Although many first moved voluntarily to what is now Oklahoma , others were later moved involuntarily after the Indian Removal Act . The UKB now has 76 acres of trust land in Tahlequah , where the tribe ’ s museum , community service buildings , childcare center , wellness center , and stomp grounds sit .
To gain membership in the UKB , a person must have a Cherokee blood-quantum of one-quarter or more . The UKB is governed by a chief , assistant chief , secretary , treasurer and nine district representatives .
A variety of services is also offered by the UKB , including child care , elder assistance , education and housing . Its Health and Human Services Departments aids UKB members with home energy assistance , social welfare , medical transportation costs , and much more . The tribe also operates the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum , which brings the Keetoowah Cherokee history , culture and traditions to the public through exhibits , presentations , and cultural demonstrations . For more information about the UKB , call 918-871-2800 .
PAGE 54 COMPILED BY GRANT CRAWFORD
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