The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign tribal government. Upon settling in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) after the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee people established a new government in what is now the city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A constitution was adopted on September 6, 1839, 68 years prior to Oklahoma’s statehood.
Today, the Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the United States with more than 370,000 tribal citizens worldwide. More than 141,000 Cherokee Nation citizens reside within the 14-county tribal jurisdictional area that covers most of northeastern Oklahoma. Services provided include health and human services, education, employment, housing, economic and infrastructure development, environmental protection and more. With approximately 11,000 employees, Cherokee Nation and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma. The tribe had a more than $2.16 billion economic impact on the Oklahoma economy in fiscal year 2018.
MISSION:
The Cherokee Nation is committed to protecting our inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting Cherokee culture, language and values, and improving the quality of life for the next seven generations of Cherokee Nation citizens.
Cherokee Nation citizens 60 years of age and older are invited to participate in the Fifth Annual Cherokee Nation Elders Summit, taking place Sept. 24-25 in Tahlequah and Claremore. Both days will include resource booths with information on Cherokee Nation programs.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced Thursday that the tribe is taking an historic initial step to enact the Cherokee Nation’s treaty right to send a delegate to the U.S. Congress. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced that the tribe is taking an historic initial step to enact the Cherokee Nation’s treaty right to send a delegate to the U.S. Congress.
Cherokee Nation is accepting applications for the 2020 Remember the Removal Bike Ride from Sept. 9 – Oct. 11. The bike ride follows the northern route of the Trail of Tears over a span of three weeks. Cherokee Nation citizens ages 16-24 ride approximately 950 miles in June, crossing through seven states as a testament to their physical and mental endurance. Riders retrace the same path their ancestors were forced to walk more than 180 years ago. Applications are available online here.
Registration for the Fall 2019 online language classes begins August 26th and classes start on September 9th. These courses are offered at no charge and are available to the public. For more information and to register please visit the online learning center at https://learn.cherokee.org/
