Applications Available for Miss Cherokee, Junior Miss Cherokee, Little Cherokee Ambassadors Competitions

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Applications for the 2026-27 Miss Cherokee Leadership, Junior Miss Cherokee Leadership and Little Cherokee Ambassadors competitions are now available.

To download the application, visit https://cherokee.org/all-services/education-services/youth-leadership/.

Applications are also available at the Cherokee First desk in the lobby of the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.

The Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition and Junior Miss Cherokee Competition, as well as the Little Cherokee Ambassador program, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22.

"Every year, the competition season brings out our rich history and a chance to visit with new contestants who will share their knowledge and unique personalities with the judges," said Lisa Trice Turtle of Education Services Administration. "Ambassadors of the tribe will spend the year sharing their knowledge of our culture and heritage across the country. Contestants are competing for scholarship funds. Miss Cherokee will receive a $6,000 scholarship; the first runner-up will receive $3,000 and the second runner-up a $2,000 scholarship."

Miss Cherokee contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 22 by Aug. 21, 2026, as well as be registered Cherokee Nation citizens who reside within the reservation.

In previous years, Miss Cherokee has visited the White House and historic sites in Washington, D.C., including the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. She has also visited the Oklahoma Capitol and Cherokee Nation community meetings across the country. Miss Cherokee may also participate in Cherokee Nation social media posts or campaigns.

Junior Miss Cherokee contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 by Aug. 21, 2026, and be registered citizens of the Cherokee Nation and live within the reservation.

Little Cherokee Ambassadors must be between the ages of 4 and 12 by Aug. 21, 2026, and be registered Cherokee Nation citizens who reside within the reservation.

Miss Cherokee and Junior Miss Cherokee Committee representatives will accept hand-delivered applications on Wednesday, July 1 between 3-5 p.m. in the lobby of the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah, but early completed applications can be submitted before the July 1 deadline. Applications are accepted no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, in hand. Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

Little Cherokee Ambassador applications must be received by Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Applications can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or hand delivered to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex on or before July 1, 2026. It is not recommended to mail applications. If necessary, mail to: Little Cherokee Ambassador Program, Attention: Lisa Trice-Turtle, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465. Please follow up on any mailed applications. All applications MUST be received by the deadline of July 1, 2026.

For more information, contact Lisa Trice Turtle at

918-453-5000, ext. 4991 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..