Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 456-0671, Ext. 2210 FAX (918)458-5580 Cherokee Nation Director of Communications@cherokee.org © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved September 30, 2002

Young Cherokee Goes to Washington

TAHLEQUAH- Jeremy Marshall remembers having fun playing with dirt and rocks at his home in Welling when he was young. Now, the Sequoyah High School graduate counts blockbuster movie premieres and rubbing elbows with our nation’s leaders among his hobbies.

Marshall expanded his horizons by working as an intern each of the past three summers in Washington, D.C.

“My internship in Congressman Brad Carson’s office was the best summer I’ve ever had,” Marshall said.

While in Washington for his final internship he attended the premier for “Windtalkers,” a film which told the story of Navajo Codetalkers during World War II. Marshall also met many celebrities and influential government officials.

“It was such a great experience working and learning on Capitol Hill,” Marshall said. “I had regular intern duties, but I also met with tribal leaders from Oklahoma and reported on hearings for Congressman Carson.”

Marshall said he was expected to work normal business hours during the week, but had weekends free.

“The weekends gave us many opportunities to do some light traveling and take in many sights,” Marshall said. “We even watched a game at Yankee stadium.”

Marshall is a Cherokee Nation tribal member and works with the Cherokee Nation Youth Council. In 1998, he was salutatorian and the starting point guard on Sequoyah’s basketball team.

“We were known as the Native American Dream Team, and we made it all the way to the State playoffs in 1998.”

Marshal recently graduated from Northeastern State University with honors, and continues to work in his community by coaching youth basketball teams.

His advice to Cherokee youth is, “Never stop dreaming. There will always be someone telling you that you can’t, but you have to push through those negative influences and always pursue your dreams.”

Marshall’s mother, Tammy, has worked for the Cherokee Nation for 20 years. His parents, both Cherokee Nation citizens, have been married for 23 years and always told him, “you should always want to achieve.”

“We are very proud of him,” Tammy Marshall said. “He has put a lot of hard work into everything he has done. We hope he stays on track and remembers the things he was taught in our traditional home. He has always treated people with kindness, if he continues to do so it will take him anywhere he wants to go.”