Cherokee National Holiday

 August 30-September 1

The Cherokee Nation will celebrate the 72nd annual Cherokee National Holiday, featuring longstanding cultural favorites and new events like the two-night concert at One Fire Field. The Cherokee National Holiday typically draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country. Main Holiday activities will be held Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. From the two-night inter-tribal powwow to the giant Cherokee National Holiday parade and State of the Nation with Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, there is something for everyone to celebrate Cherokee culture and to create cherished memories. Find a full schedule of events and learn more over at thecherokeeholiday.com and follow the Cherokee National Holiday Facebook page for updates and coverage.

Labor Day

 September 2

Cherokee Nation’s W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex, health centers, and satellite offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day. Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital emergency department and other emergency services will remain open.

Innovation Hub

 September 3

The Cherokee Nation Commerce Innovation Hub is inviting remote workers and entrepreneurs to stop by the Innovation Hub in downtown Tahlequah every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. for a Tuesday Tackle event. These weekly meetings are intended to kick off a productive workweek with other professionals and are free for all to attend. No reservation is required. The Innovation Hub is located on the second floor of the Cort Mall, 215 S. Muskogee Ave., in downtown Tahlequah. For more information, contact 918-453-5536 or visit bit.ly/CherokeeHub.

Small Business Power Hour

 September 4

Stop by the Cherokee Nation Commerce Innovation Hub every Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for free small business workshops. This will be a weekly discussion of all things small business and entrepreneurship, and will include guest speakers, business development discussions, networking and more. The Cherokee Nation Commerce Innovation Hub is located on the second floor of the Cort Mall, 215 S. Muskogee Ave., in downtown Tahlequah. These weekly discussions can be attended in person or remotely. Learn more and register your spot at https://bit.ly/CherokeeHub.

Cherokee National Holiday Bass Tournament

 September 7

The 3rd annual Cherokee National Holiday Bass Tournament will take place at Tenkiller Lake, with a special guest appearance by Cherokee Nation citizen and Bassmaster Classic Champion Jason Christie. The tournament will begin at safelight and weigh-in will begin at 1 p.m. Learn more and register here.

Homecoming Art Show

 September 7

Today is the final day to view this art show, which is dedicated to all Cherokee art and artists, at The Gallery at Cherokee Springs Plaza in Tahlequah. The art show is free, open to everyone, and is on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more at VisitCherokeeNation.com.

Oklahoma City At-Large Language Course

 September 10

Want to learn and help perpetuate the Cherokee language? Enroll in a free two-week immersion course hosted by the Cherokee Nation Language Department. In total, the course will involve 30 hours of class time, beginning Sept. 10, 11 and 12 with a virtual class from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by in-person classes on Sept. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and three more virtual classes on Sept. 17, 18 and 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. Lunch and materials will be provided. An exact physical address for in-person courses will be provided after registering. This course is free and open to everyone. For questions, contact Kevin Stretch at Kevin-Stretch@cherokee.org or register here.

Free Monthly Luncheon

 September 12

All fluent Cherokee speakers are invited to this free monthly luncheon held from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. every second Thursday of the month and hosted by the Cherokee Nation Language Department at the Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah. Gather for fellowship, a free lunch and door prizes. For more information, please call 918-207-4901 or email language@cherokee.org.

Lunch & Learn

 September 17

Join Ross Mulcare, archives manager at the Cherokee National Research Center, as he discusses the Cherokee National Archives from noon to 1 p.m. inside the Tahlequah Armory Municipal Center, located at 100 N. Water Ave. in Tahlequah. This event is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be provided. Learn more at VisitCherokeeNation.com.

"Tending The Flame" Exhibit

 September 17

A new exhibit, “Tending The Flame,” opens at the Saline Courthouse Museum and highlights Harry Oosahwee, an award-winning Cherokee artist and first-language Cherokee speaker. Recognized as a Cherokee National Treasure for sculpture in 2021, Harry is a versatile artist across many media. This new exhibit looks at his art and influences – from watching his mother model native clay to painting under the auspices of Bacone College’s Flatstyle school of art to sculpting Cherokee traditional forms out of stone. See the exhibit on display now through Jan. 11. Admission to the museum is free and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Saline Courthouse Museum is located at 55870 S. 490 Road in Rose. For more information, email info@visitcherokee.com, call 877-779-6977 or go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.

At-Large Meeting

 September 21

Cherokee Nation is hosting an at-large meeting for Cherokee citizens in Houston, Texas. Be sure to join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the India House, 8888 W. Bellfort Ave., in Houston for this exciting meeting with cultural presentations and demonstrations. Visit with Cherokee Nation leaders and enjoy a free lunch. Tribal Registration will be on site for photo IDs and citizenship applications. Registration will stop accepting applications for photo IDs 30 minutes before the end of the event. Education Services and Cherokee Vote will also be in attendance to assist citizens. For questions regarding the event, call 918-207-4963.

At-Large Meeting

 September 22

Cherokee Nation is hosting an at-large meeting for Cherokee citizens in San Antonio, Texas. Be sure to join us from noon to 4 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 1001 E. McCarty Lane, in San Marcos, Texas, for this exciting meeting with cultural presentations and demonstrations. Visit with Cherokee Nation leaders and enjoy a free lunch. Tribal Registration will be on site for photo IDs and citizenship applications. Registration will stop accepting applications for photo IDs 30 minutes before the end of the event. Education Services and Cherokee Vote will also be in attendance to assist citizens. For questions regarding the event, call 918-207-4963.

Little Rock At-Large Language Course

 September 24

Little Rock at-large language course: Want to learn and help perpetuate the Cherokee language? Enroll in a free two-week immersion course hosted by the Cherokee Nation Language Department. In total, the course will involve 30 hours of class time, beginning Sept. 24, 25 and 26 with a virtual class from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by in-person classes on Sept. 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and three more virtual classes on Oct. 1, 2 and 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. Lunch and materials will be provided. An exact physical address for in-person courses will be provided after registering. This course is free and open to everyone. For questions, contact Kevin Stretch at Kevin-Stretch@cherokee.org or register here.

Cultural Class

 September 28

Learn the fundamentals of two-point needle applique, a versatile technique for beadwork and other textile arts, and receive expert guidance from Cherokee Nation citizen Valerie Kagan. All materials will be provided. This class, which is $25 per person and will be capped at 15 participants, will be held at the Cherokee National Prison Museum at 124 E. Choctaw St. in Tahlequah. Sign up here.

Cherokee Day

 September 28

Visit the Eastern Trails Museum in Vinita from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate Cherokee culture with a variety of artist demonstrations and performances. Each participating artist has been recognized as a Cherokee National Treasure for their significant contribution to the preservation of Cherokee culture. This is a free event and open to everyone. The Eastern Trails Museum is located at 215 W. Illinois Ave. in Vinita. Learn more at VisitCherokeeNation.com.

Advocate-in-Chief: The Life of William Potter Ross

 March 19–September 14, 2024

The “Advocate-in-Chief: The Life of William Potter Ross” exhibit explores the life of William Potter Ross, who was a Cherokee scholar, journalist, merchant, representative and leader who had the distinction of becoming Cherokee Nation Principal Chief twice before Oklahoma statehood, though never by a popular vote of the Cherokee people. This exhibit takes a closer look at Ross — a nephew of Principal Chief John Ross — who became the first editor of the Cherokee Advocate newspaper, a Cherokee Nation delegate and an eloquent leader who struggled in turbulent times. This exhibit runs through Sept. 14 at the John Ross Museum in Park Hill. Admission to the museum is free and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Read more at VisitCherokeeNation.

Crosslin Smith: The Healer’s Journey

 May 14–September 14, 2024

Visit the exhibit “Crosslin Smith: The Healer’s Journey,” on display May 14 – September 14 at the Saline Courthouse Museum, 55870 S. 490 Road, Rose, Okla. Admission is free. The late Crosslin Smith was a spiritual leader and healer in Cherokee Nation. As the grandson of Cherokee traditionalist Redbird Smith, Crosslin kept “the old ways” burning into the 21st century. Frequently invited to address the Cherokee people at important events, Crosslin led in prayers and teachings, bridging the ancestral past to Cherokee Nation today. Before his passing in February 2024, Crosslin and his family assisted in creating an exhibit about his life and work. The exhibit includes pieces demonstrating his pride of military service and commitment to education. It also includes his books and objects demonstrating Crosslin’s commitment to keeping Cherokee traditional spirituality alive for future generations.

Read more at Visit Cherokee Nation.

Kindra Swafford: Journey Through the Woods

 May 1–October 13, 2024

“Kindra Swafford: Journey Through the Woods” connects with community and nature in the newest installation at the Cherokee Cultural Pathway in downtown Tahlequah. The public art display is now open and features 13 large-scale reproductions of Swafford’s work highlighting a commitment to Cherokee language, culture, environmental stewardship and community. “Kindra Swafford: Journey Through the Woods” is the latest exhibit in a series of art displays to be featured at the Cherokee Cultural Pathway and runs through Oct. 13, 2024. Kindra Swafford is a Cherokee mixed-media and watercolor artist out of Tahlequah, OK. Swafford’s artwork, expressed through a variety of media with watercolor being the artist’s primary choice, has won multiple awards including recognition at the Trail of Tears Art Show.

Read more at Visit Cherokee Nation.

Woven Legacies: Carrying a Cherokee Tradition

 May 24–November 3, 2024

Thanks to countless unknown Cherokee women and men through the ages, Cherokee traditional basketry has endured despite centuries of tragedy, loss and turmoil. Basket weaving is still prolific among Cherokee people who learned their skills from elders knowledgeable in the natural materials and techniques used by our ancestors to build practical, often beautiful, works of art. While basketry now is focused largely on artistry, the old ways are still revered. “Woven Legacies: Carrying a Cherokee Tradition” looks at the history, art and people of Cherokee basketry and the presence of community support to continue this expression for generations to come.

Read more at Visit Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Highflier: The Life and Career of Wauhillau LaHay

 August 13, 2024 – June 28, 2025

A new exhibit, “Cherokee Highflier: The Life and Career of Wauhillau LaHay,” explores the fascinating life and work of Cherokee Nation citizen Wauhillau LaHay. Starting her journalism career as a teenager in Muskogee, LaHay took to the sky as a pilot in 1929 writing about aviation and interviewing its biggest celebrities. Following a successful career in radio and publicity working with some of Hollywood’s greatest legends, LaHay reported on the First Ladies of the White House in the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibit, on display at the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, 122 Keetoowah St., in Tahlequah, is on display through June 28, 2025. Admission to the museum is free and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Read more at Visit Cherokee Nation.

Ned Christie: The Man From Wauhillau

 June 18, 2024 – November 01, 2025

The Cherokee people know Ned Christie as a patriot who stood up for tribal sovereignty in the last decades before the allotment of Cherokee lands. Since the late 1800s, others – often non-Cherokees – have told stories of a reckless Indian outlaw who murdered a deputy U.S. Marshal and spread fear far and wide. Using recent scholarship, a new exhibit looks at Christie’s life and finds a more nuanced portrait of a man who served his Nation and ultimately met a violent end at the hands of his accusers.

Read more at Visit Cherokee Nation.