Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Join the fun and friendship at the annual Cherokee National Holiday, held each year over Labor Day weekend in Tahlequah, Okla. From a parade, music events, powwows, rodeo and cultural arts and crafts to blowgun, cornstalk, marble and softball competitions, the Holiday is packed with activities for the entire family. This year’s theme, "The Great State of Sequoyah," commemorates Indian Territory and the state that almost was. The Cherokee Nation celebrates its National Holiday in observance of the signing of the Cherokee Nation constitution. The Holiday begins September 2, and runs through September 4.
"There are more than 90,000 people that attend the Holiday," said Lou Slagle, director of the Cherokee National Holiday. "We have 40-plus events for people to enjoy and participate in."
The three-day celebration is packed with activities for all ages from traditional games like the cornstalk shoot and blowgun competition to the more familiar softball and volleyball tournaments.
The Holiday gets underway on Friday, September 2, with Gourd Dancing beginning at 5 p.m. at the Cherokee Cultural Grounds, located south of Sequoyah High School. The grand entry, social and contest dancing will be held immediately following the gourd dancing.
The Cherokee National Holiday parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, in downtown Tahlequah. Following the parade, Principal Chief Chad Smith will give his State of Nation address at 11:30 a.m. at the Cherokee Nation Capitol Square. Chief Smith will deliver his message to the Cherokee people and honor several Cherokee citizens with special awards.
Additionally, Chief Smith will present the Cherokee Nation’s protectors of culture, arts and language – the tribe’s Living Treasures. He will also crown the new Miss Cherokee.
"What a wonderful time of experiencing cultural games, food, arts and crafts," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "Most importantly this is a celebration of the enduring spirit of the Cherokee people, past, present and future. This year’s theme is an important historical reminder, that the Cherokee Nation and other tribes were here long before statehood. Prior to the land rush, the Five Civilized Tribes tried to exercise our sovereignty and form our own state, the Great State of Sequoyah."
After the State of the Nation at 11:30 a.m., visitors can go out to the Cherokee Heritage Center for arts and crafts and a serious traditional Cherokee marbles tournament or head south to the Tribal complex area to check out the blowgun, horseshoe and fiddler’s contests. The smells from the Traditional Indian Food Cook-off, which begins at 5 p.m., will surely draw a crowd. Latecomers will not want to miss the arts and crafts and powwow at the Cultural Grounds located about two miles behind the Complex (look for signs).
"Besides the many activities already planned, this year we’ve added a couple of events to be held west of the Cherokee Nation complex on Sunday, September 4," Slagle said. "At noon we’ll have a concert featuring a battle of the bands and at 1 p.m., the traditional native game play-offs. For months communities throughout the 14-county area have been participating in competitions in stickball, blowgun, cornstalk shoot, marbles and horseshoes. These are the finals."
Some of the most popular Holiday events are the parade, powwow and the Trail of Tears dramatic production. While in Tahlequah, visitors are encouraged to drop by the Cherokee Heritage Center, home to the Cherokee National Museum, the Cherokee Ancient Village and the Tsa La Gi Amphitheater where a new adaptation of the story of the Trail of Tears is being performed. For several years numerous talented actors have performed under the night sky portraying the forced removal of the Cherokee people. This year, the new Trail of Tears drama will bring back the music, pageantry and spectacle audiences have asked for. The new drama depicts several Cherokee myths and legends such as "Rabbit Eats with Bear" and "How Possum’s Tail Got Bare." These stories, mixed with the removal and several aspects of Cherokee history, give the show a lighter feel that the entire family can enjoy. For Cherokee Heritage Center information, and the drama performance dates, please call 888-999-6007 or visit the CHC web site.
The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in commemoration of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 people from across the world. For a full Holiday schedule, visit the Cherokee Nation’s web site, or call Lou Slagle, phone: 918-456-0671 or 800-256-0671 (ext.2544).
| 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 |