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TAHLEQAUH, OK - The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma will honor its original tribal enrollees as part of the 48th Cherokee National Holiday.

Tribal membership in the Cherokee Nation is determined by a person's ancestor(s) being listed on the Dawes Commission Rolls, 1899-1906. These citizenship rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes were created as a prelude to Oklahoma statehood. The Cherokee Nation annually honors its original Dawes Commission enrollees at the Cherokee National Holiday.

The tribal registration department will host a reception at 1:00-3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 2, 2000 in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex Council Chambers for original enrollees and their families.

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Hastings Shade will greet the original enrollees and their families at the reception. Original enrollees may have their photos taken with the principal chief and will receive a gift, certificates and name tags with their Dawes Roll numbers. Smith will present plaques to the oldest enrollee and the enrollee who traveled the greatest distance to attend the Holiday.

For more information contact Lela Ummerteskee, interim tribal registrar, phone, (918) 456-0671 (Ext.2357).