Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2004 CNO
PARK HILL, OKLAHOMA – On the first Saturday of every month, members of all federally recognized Cherokee tribes, and one guest, are admitted free to the Cherokee Heritage Center museum and villages. The next Cherokee Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, December 4, 2004.In addition to the numerous attractions offered at the Cherokee Heritage Center, this month's Cherokee Saturday visitors can view the Ninth Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show sponsored by Cherokee Casinos and the Oklahoma Arts Council. Unlike the annual Trail of Tears Art Show, the homecoming show is only open to artists who have membership in the Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band or Eastern Band of Cherokees. This distinction offers visitors the opportunity to purchase traditional Cherokee works.
Every year, numerous people visit the Cherokee Heritage Center, in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, to learn more about Cherokee history and culture. The center is home to the Ancient Village, Adams Corner Rural Village, the Trail of Tears exhibit, the Cherokee National Museum, the Cherokee Family Research Center, Cherokee Heritage Tours and the Tsa La Gi Amphitheater, which was named one of America's most beautiful outdoor theater venues. The center is devoted to the preservation and promotion of Cherokee history and culture through more than 50 annual events, two competitive art shows, various attractions and the highly-acclaimed "Trail of Tears" drama. The wide variety of activities offered help the Cherokee Heritage Center to reach its goal of becoming the best and most visited tribally specific educational facility in the world.
Guests can learn more about their heritage thanks to the newly developed genealogy workshops, sponsored by Bartlesville Office Supply, held once a month at the Cherokee Heritage Center. On the first Saturday of every month experienced genealogists, Gene Norris or Roy Hamilton, will be available at 10 a. and again at 2 p.m. to offer instruction on the numerous resources available for tracing one's family history.While these workshops are free to tribal members on Cherokee Saturday, advanced registration is recommended.
The Ancient Village offers guided tours through a replica of a Cherokee village as it would have appeared before European contact. Visitors can witness Cherokee people performing the daily activities of their ancestors.
Adams Corner Rural Village represents the lifestyles of the Cherokee people in the late 1800's. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the seven historical buildings that make up this replica of a Cherokee village.
Through the Trail of Tears Exhibit visitors can learn more about the tragic journey known as the Trail of Tears traveled by the Cherokee and four other tribes. Through special effects lighting, videos, audio recordings, art work, life cast figures and holograms, this exhibit gives a detailed account of the Trail of Tears, a tragedy that has become a symbol for the suffering of all Indian people.
The Cherokee National Museum currently houses the temporary exhibit, "The Southeast: Homelands and Traditions." This exhibit highlights Cherokee history with an emphasis on culture, heritage and traditions prior to the Cherokee discovery of DeSoto, as well as the forced removal from the Southeast.
The Museum Shop offers a wide variety of books, apparel, jewelry, and other native arts and crafts. For more information on Cherokee Saturday or on the Cherokee Heritage Center, call 918-456-6007, or call toll free, 888-999-6007 and visit the CHC's web site.
| Related Cherokee Nation 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 |