"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Marbles Training Underway

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Division (CRC) recently held a traditional Cherokee marbles training class at the historic Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. Kenny Guthrie of Kenwood and Dana Knickens of Maryetta took part in the recent Cherokee marbles training lesson at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. The Cherokee Nation is offering training in traditional games as part of cultural development.

The class was taught to five delegates from various communities within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdictional area. The CRC provided each participating community with a book of tournament rules, a set of marbles and pipe to make the marble cups for the playing field.

According to Community Involvement Specialist Ryan Mackey, teaching the traditional game is essential to keeping the heritage of the Cherokee people alive and is a sport that anyone can take part.

“Teaching marbles to communities and schools is important to our cultural identity,” said Mackey. “It’s important to know about our roots and can benefit the health of our people. Marbles is a low-impact sport that most anyone can play.”

Tribal Councilor for Sequoyah County and Gore public school teacher Phyllis Yargee took part in the marbles lesson to teach to her students.

“I teach Cherokee language, history and culture and I often take the opportunity to play stickball with my classes,” said Yargee. “We don’t play marbles because I don’t know how. So, I wanted to learn and pass the lesson onto my classes.”

The CRC hopes that by providing information and assistance to the public that new generations of Cherokees will take hold of the cultural activities of their Cherokee heritage and the traditions will live on.

For more information about the Cultural Resource Center or about the traditional games educational assistance program contact the CRC, phone: 918-453-5000.