Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation recently placed three historically significant buildings into trust.
Norma Eli, realty technician with the Cherokee Nation, filing the deed at the Cherokee County Clerk’s office. 
The Cherokee Nation Capitol Building, Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Building and the Cherokee Nation Indian Territorial Prison, all located in downtown Tahlequah, have been put into trust status, which means they are set aside by the federal government for use by, and under the jurisdiction of, the Cherokee Nation.
"These buildings represent the great history of the Cherokee Nation, and the great future that lies ahead", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "Cherokees have a reverence for these places, these buildings."
Though the buildings had been considered "Indian Country" since they were reacquired from Cherokee County and the City of Tahlequah in the late 1970's, the Cherokee Nation went through the process of having the land put in trust by the federal government.
The Cherokee Nation Capitol Building in downtown Tahlequah currently houses the Cherokee Nation’s judicial branch. The building sits on the historic capitol site of the Cherokee Nation, where the Old Settlers and the Cherokees who came on the Trail of Tears established a seat of government and new constitution in 1839.
The Cherokee Nation Supreme Courthouse, constructed in 1844, is the oldest public building in Oklahoma and a tourist destination.
The Cherokee National Prison, constructed in 1874, sits at the corner of Water and Choctaw streets in Tahlequah.
"The trust status clearly defines for the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee County that the land is Indian country and jurisdiction is clear", said Radena Rutherford, supervisor of real estate services for the Cherokee Nation.
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Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671 |
| Related contact information: |
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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 |
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 |