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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - The Cherokee National Youth Choir was recently honored by Harvard University for being an outstanding tribal government program.

"The kids really enjoy being a part of the choir," said Kathy Sierra, interim choir director. "They are just doing what they love to do. It's great that they have been able to earn so many honors doing it."

Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government presents the "Honoring Nations" awards every year to identify, celebrate, and share exemplary tribal government programs among the Indian nations in the United States. The Cherokee National Youth Choir was selected as one of the 16 tribal programs to receive honors.

The Cherokee National Youth Choir performs traditional Cherokee songs in the Cherokee language. The choir came into existence from the vision of Principal Chief Chad Smith, who saw it as a way to keep children involved in the Cherokee language and culture. The group has already recorded three CDs, including one featuring two-time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge. They have also performed at many prestigious venues across the country, including Ground Zero in New York City and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The choir has also earned two Native American Music Awards.

"The choir acts as ambassadors for the Cherokee Nation, their beautiful voices showing the strength of the Cherokee Nation and its culture," Smith said. "It's such an honor to have them recognized by Harvard University."

For more information on the Cherokee National Youth Choir contact Mike Miller, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210).

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org