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Tahlequah, OK - The Constitution Convention Commission of the Cherokee Nation will host a series of Education Forums throughout the Cherokee Nation in preparation for the upcoming Constitution ratification vote on July 26th.

The Commission was created by Tribal Legislation after the 1995 vote of the People called for the organization of a Convention to examine the current 1976 Constitution of the Cherokee Nation. Within the Constitution is a requirement to ask the Cherokee Citizens if a Constitution Convention is to be called at least once every 20 years. This question was overwhelmingly passed during the 1995 General Election.

Since that time, a Commission was formed to hold public hearings, organize a Constitution Convention, and work with the Election Commission to place that document before the Cherokee People. A new Constitution was written and adopted by the 79 Delegate Convention held in Tahlequah in March of 1999. Efforts to obtain BIA approval of the document have occupied the work of the Commission since 1999.

Cherokee Citizens were asked to vote on an amendment question during the May 24, 2003 General Election. This amendment sought to remove "federal approval" requirements from the 1976 Constitution. Cherokee voters passed that amendment at the May General Election, thus placing the 1999 Constitution on the July 26, 2003 run-off election ballot for ratification.

In preparation for this Constitution ratification vote, the Commission will hold a series of Education Forums to inform and prepare voters for the upcoming election. All Cherokee Citizens are invited to participate in these Education Forums. The meetings are free of charge and open to the public. Commissioners will host the meetings and provide handouts containing both the 1976 and 1999 Constitutions. The primary focus of the meetings will be to clarify the differences between the two documents.

The Education Forums will be held:

June 28th, 2003
10:00 a.m.
Tahlequah - Cherokee Capitol Building -101 S. Muskogee
Vinita - Cherokee Nation Housing Authority, 900 McNelis, #31-B, Tom Buffington Heights

3:00 p.m.
Stilwell - First United Methodist Church, 3rd & Division
South Coffeyville - Old City Hall, 207 W. Broadway

July 12th, 2003
10:00 a.m.
Bartlesville - Keeler Heights, 1003 S.W. Virginia
Marble City - Community Building, Main & Cherokee

3:00 p.m.
Jay - Community Building, Hwy. 59
Belfonte - Community Building, Hwy. 101

July 19th, 2003
10:00 a.m.
Claremore - Senior Citizen Center, 116 N. Missouri
Fort Gibson - Community Room, 200 W. Hickory

3:00 p.m.
Webbers Falls - City Hall, River Street
Pryor - Grand Community Building, 6 N. Adair

If your community or group is interested in the Commission conducting an education forum in your community, contact the Commission Office.

For more information on the upcoming ratification vote, contact the Constitution Convention Commission office at P.O. Box 1931, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465 or by calling 918-456-0671 (ext.2570). More details can be found by visiting the Cherokee Nation web site or by emailing your questions to: ccc@cherokee.org.

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