Native Oklahoma
Of the three federally-recognized Cherokee tribes in United States , two call Tahlequah home : The Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians , both with rich cultures and histories . Despite their forced removal from their original homelands in the southeastern U . S ., the two tribes have remained resilient and contributed significantly to the landscape and success of the area . As they ’ ve grown , the tribes have developed a vast number of service agencies , including educational opportunities , health care , housing assistance , and employment . For those wishing to learn more about these Cherokee tribes , both share cultural activities and experiences throughout the year .
Cherokee Nation
Ever since the Cherokees walked the Trail of Tears and established Tahlequah 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 , located at the southern end of Tahlequah .
With more than 430,000 citizens and roughly 141,000 residing within the CN reservation , the tribe reaches across the entire country . It employs approximately 11,000 people in northeastern Oklahoma and has a major economic impact on Oklahoma , injecting billions of dollars into the state on an annual basis .
Cherokee Nation citizens must be direct descendants from someone on the Dawes Rolls , which closed on March 5 , 1907 . Documentation must be provided for national citizenship and a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood card . More information and forms are available at www . cherokee . org
Citizens living within the tribe ’ s reservation can purchase tribal motor vehicle tags . If residing outside of tribal boundaries but within Oklahoma , citizens can purchase at-large tags . To establish registration , vehicle owners 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 required , as are a valid driver ’ s license and proof of tribal citizenship . Current physical address on a driver ’ s license or a utility bill dated in the last 30 days can both be used as proof of residence .
The Cherokee Nation provides employment through several entities , such as W . W . Hastings Hospital and a number of other clinics , social services , the Housing Authority of Cherokee Nation , Cherokee Nation Businesses , Cherokee Nation Entertainment , and Cherokee Nation Industries . When operating on or near Indian Country , the tribe applies a preferential hiring process for Native applicants . Around 80 % of the Cherokee Nation workforce is Native American .
Cherokee Nation hosts several annual cultural events , like Cherokee National Holiday , which coincides with Labor Day weekend and draws thousands of visitors to Tahlequah every year . The holiday has been observed since 1953 to commemorate the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution , which re-established the tribe ’ s sovereign government and remains in force today . Over the three-day holiday , vendors sell art , crafts and jewelry and traditional games like stickball are played at different locations around the city . During the weekend , the only parade in the state that is announced in both Cherokee and English marches down Muskogee Avenue .
The tribe ’ s principal chief gives the State of the Nation Address on the courthouse square during the holiday . The Intertribal Powwow , which presents southern strait , northern traditional , fancy dance , jingle and other Native dance styles , is a very popular event .
During the rest of the year , visitors have the chance to learn about Cherokee history and traditions at multiple museums and cultural centers throughout the area , including 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 offers a variety of services to Cherokee Nation citizens , including programs to help them find employment , enhance their businesses , and improve their overall quality of life . More information about the Cherokee Nation is available by calling : 918-453-5000 .
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
The UKB ’ s original homelands were located in the southeastern U . S , however , in order to to avoid U . S . encroachment many of its citizens moved west before the Trail of Tears officially began . Although many first moved voluntarily to the area , others were later moved involuntarily . As of 2019 , the UKB has 76 acres of trust land in Tahlequah , holding the tribe ’ s museum , community service buildings childcare center , wellness center , and stomp grounds . A person must have a Cherokee blood quantum of one-quarter or more to become a UKB member . The UKB is governed a tribal council , consisting of a chief , assistant chief , secretary , treasurer , and nine district representatives .
The UKB offers a multitude of services , including child care , elder assistance , education and housing . UKB members may also obtain vehicle tags from the Keetoowah Tag Agency .
The tribe also operates the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum , which teaches the public about the Keetoowah history , culture and traditions through exhibits , presentations , and cultural demonstrations . More information about the UKB is available by calling : 918-871- 2800 .
COMPILED BY SARA SERRANO
54 Newcomers Guide 2023 | Tahlequah Daily Press