Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
PARK HILL, OKLAHOMA – The board of trustees of the Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. have established the Julian Fite Memorial Fund for the acquisition of materials and research into Cherokee law to be housed in the Cherokee National Archives.Fite, general council for the Cherokee Nation, died June 2. He was also the vice president of the CNHS, the parent non-profit organization of the Cherokee Heritage Center. In response to the numerous contributions to Cherokee law made by Fite, the board decided the fund is an appropriate gesture to remember and honor Fite and the profession to which he dedicated his life.
The Cherokee National Archives currently houses several documents and assists numerous people in their research. By obtaining a large collection of Cherokee law documents, the Cherokee National Archives could not only preserve an important part of Cherokee history, but it could aid a vast array of legal experts.
“As the official repository of the Cherokee Nation, we need to have a copy of all the laws affecting the Cherokee, not just for now, but laws covering every point in time,” said Archivist Tom Mooney of the Cherokee National Archives. “A question might arise about something that happened in 1979 and researchers may wish to know what the prevailing law was. Also, our mission is to collect Cherokee history and preserve it. This further emphasizes why we need a complete collection of laws.”
The Cherokee Heritage Center, where the Cherokee National Archives is located, is devoted to preserving and promoting Cherokee history and culture, and teaching others about that history and culture.
“The records should be open for the public and we as an institution are accustomed to meeting the public and serving their needs,” said Mooney. “For example, the collection might be placed at a public library, but we have a trained staff with specialized knowledge of Cherokee history to provide assistance for researchers.”
For more information on the Julian Fite Memorial Fund or to make a donation, call the Cherokee Heritage Center, phone: 9180456-6007 or call toll free, phone: 888-999-6007. To learn more about the Cherokee Heritage Center visit the CHC 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 |