The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities.
The Cherokee National Holiday is a celebration of Cherokee heritage, cultural awareness, and reuniting of families. Thousands of Cherokees and visitors from across the United States and abroad make the pilgrimage to the historic Cherokee Nation capital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to renew friendships and celebrate the Cherokee spirit.
The multi-day celebration is jam-packed with sports activities for all ages, from traditional games such as Cherokee marbles, the cornstalk shoot and the blowgun competition to the more familiar golf and softball tournaments. Hundreds of vendors and crafts people set up booths where visitors may view and purchase authentic Native American-made products and foods. Music lovers will enjoy a wide array of offerings, such as gospel and bluegrass music, a toe-tapping fiddler’s contest and a concert from the award-winning Cherokee National Youth Choir.
History buffs are invited to participate in the annual State of Sequoyah conference or to enjoy one of the new walking or bus tours offered by Cherokee Nation’s Cultural Tourism department. History is made every year as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation delivers the annual State of the Nation Address to the Cherokee people on the lawn of the Cherokee Nation’s courthouse square.
Those with children will especially enjoy the annual parade downtown, storytelling, children’s games and fun hands-on traditional crafts events. The Inter-Tribal powwow held on the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds is always a crowd favorite, and highlights the Holiday celebration nightly as dancers from all over the United States compete for prizes and honors.
The Cherokee National Holiday is a festive time in Tahlequah. We hope it will be an event you and your family will want to experience every Labor Day weekend.
Wi tse do lv i (Ya’ll come!)
|
We appreciate your observance of traditional rules: visitors shall not sell, dispense, or consume any form of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages and the use of any commercial tobacco products is strictly forbidden on Cherokee Nation property or during any Cherokee National Holiday events. Pets are not allowed at any Cherokee National Holiday events.
All Holiday visitors agree that entry into any of the Cherokee National Holiday events constitutes consent for the Cherokee Nation to use any film, photographs, video or reproduction of image and/or voice bearer for any purpose whatsoever without any payment to the visitor.
The 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event.
For more information about the Cherokee National Holiday, please call the Cherokee National Holiday Office: (918) 453-5536. Email:lslagle@cherokee.org
|