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CNOCultural Renewal group of participants, staff, and volunteers attending last meeting at Dwight Mission before their trip to North Carolina.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - More than 60 Cherokee Nation youth, staff and volunteers will be hitting the road on June 11 to further their knowledge of Cherokee history and culture in North Carolina.

Participants in the Cherokee Nation Cultural Renewal Program must be involved with communities and also complete requirements set forth by the program to be eligible for the trip. The youth participate in a variety of activities, including research, interviews with elders, crafts, language, traditional Cherokee games and listen to various presenters from the tribe and communities.

"All projects that the youth have to complete are geared towards learning about Cherokee culture," said Jody Reese, youth coordinator for Cherokee Nation.

While traveling to North Carolina the group will be retracing a portion of the "Trail of Tears," the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation to Indian Territory in 1838.

"We want to show the children where the "Trail of Tears" took place and to show the hard journey that our ancestors took for us," said Sharon Dry, director of youth development for the Cherokee Nation.

While in North Carolina the youth will be visiting the Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Kituhwa Indian Mound. They will also hike the Smokey Mountains to visit the Klingman’s Dome, watch the drama "Unto These Hills," visit a variety of other historical sites, and take part in activities with Eastern Band Cherokee youth.

"On this trip I am going to get to learn a lot more about the Cherokee culture," said Ray Glass, 12, from Jay, Okla. "The Cultural Renewal Program has made me realize how lucky we are and has helped me in social studies class at school."

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