Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - The Cherokee Nation will offer a thirty-two hour course in Cherokee Nation History in Little Rock. The course will last for two weekends, February 8-9, and February 22-23, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day and will be conducted at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. The course is open to the public, with only a ten-dollar registration fee. All course materials will be provided. Citizens of the Cherokee Nation are especially urged to attend.

This acclaimed course, featured recently in the Cherokee Phoenix and Indian Advocate, 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.

This community history course is part of a new initiative to teach Cherokee history from a Cherokee perspective, that also includes teaching Cherokee Nation 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. In 2002, Harvard University honored the Cherokee Nation History Course as one of sixteen exemplary initiatives nationwide promoting tribal excellence in self-government. 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."

The Cherokee Nation will give all participants a certificate upon successful completion of the class. For registration information, contact the Cherokee Nation History Course at 1-800-256-0671 ext. 2389.

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

Bradley D. Peak, Natural Resources Specialist, Cherokee Nation E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671