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Tahlequah, Oklahoma - The Constitution Convention Commission of the Cherokee Nation will host a series of Education Forums throughout the Cherokee Nation and across the United States in preparation for the upcoming Constitution amendment and ratification vote in May and July.

The Commission was organized 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 will be asked to vote on an amendment question during the May 24, 2003 General Election. This amendment will seek to remove "federal approval" requirements from the 1976 Constitution. If that question is passed, the 1999 Constitution, written by the Convention will be placed on the July 26, 2003 run-off election ballot for ratification.

In preparation for these Constitution votes, the Commission is holding a series of Education Forums to inform and prepare voters for the upcoming elections. 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:

March 29
  -9:30 a.m. Vinita, PSO Building, 125 S. Scrapper
  Fort Gibson, Municipal Building, 200 W. Poplar
  -3:00 p.m. Nowata, County Library, 224 N. Pine
  Webbers Falls, City Hall, River Street

April 5
  -9:30 a.m. Pryor, Sertoma Building, 225 S. Rowe
  -3:00 p.m. Claremore, Senior Citizens Building, 116 N. Missouri

April 12
  -9:30 a.m. Stilwell, Community Building, 422 W Poplar
  -3:00 p.m. Westville, High School Auditorium, Hwy 62 & Park

April 26
  -9:30 a.m. Tahlequah, Sr. Citizens Building, 230 E. First
  -3:00 p.m. Locust Grove, Community Building, 111E. Harris

May 3
  -9:30 a.m. Jay, Community Building, Hwy 59
  -3:00 p.m. Kenwood, Community Building, Kenwood Road

May 10
  -9:30 a.m. Inola, Senior Citizen Center, 2nd & Broadway
  -3:00 p.m. Catoosa, Community Center, 105 E. Oak

May 17
  -9:30 a.m. Marble City, Community Building, Main & Cherokee
  -3:00 p.m. Belfont, Hwy 101

April 14, May 12, June 16, and July 14:
  Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, Council
  Meeting Room following each Tribal Council Meeting.

A series of Education Forums will be held in Texas, Kansas, California, and Arizona as well. Additional forums will be held in the 14 counties throughout the Cherokee Nation, as scheduling will permit. If your community or group is interested in the Commission coming to your community, contact the Commission Office.

For more information on the upcoming amendment and 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 at cherokee.org or by emailing your questions to ccc@cherokee.org.

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