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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation and Union High School will co-host a community Cherokee Nation History course starting January 17.

"Both the Cherokee Nation and Union High School understand that educating people about the true history of Indians helps everyone understand present-day American culture better", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We are grateful to Union High School for hosting this class and we want to extend a special invitation to Union students, parents, teachers and administrators to attend."

The thirteen-week course in Cherokee Nation History will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 pm beginning January 17 and continuing through April 18. It will meet at the Union Board of Education ’s Educational Service Center, Building B, 5656 S. 129th E. Ave, between 51st and 61st Streets. The course is open to the public and is free of charge. Texts will be provided, and free child-care is available on the premises. Citizens of the Cherokee Nation are especially urged to attend.

Offered to community members by the Cherokee Nation, this acclaimed course covers significant aspects of Cherokee legal, social and cultural history from pre-contact to the present day. It employs many videos and group exercises, as well as lecture and discussion. The course addresses treaty rights and legislative agendas, as well as questions of culture and citizenship, with the goal of providing a better understanding of Cherokee nationality and identity, and to develop strategizing skills in the participants.

As part of a new initiative to teach Cherokee history from a Cherokee perspective, the community courses are one aspect of an effort that also includes teaching tribal employees, developing public school curriculum, entering into partnerships with universities and colleges, collecting community and family histories, and teaching the course in the Cherokee language. Nationally-renowned Indian scholar and activist Vine Deloria, Jr. recently called the Cherokee Nation's history project "the most exciting idea in tribal education I have ever heard of."

All participants will receive a certificate from the Cherokee Nation upon successful completion of the class. To register for either course, contact Julia Coates, phone: 1-800-256-0671 (ex.2389).