74th Annual Cherokee National Holiday Returns on Labor Day Weekend

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation will celebrate its 74^th annual Cherokee National Holiday over Labor Day weekend, including an inter-tribal powwow, parade and other longtime cultural favorites.

Traditionally, the Cherokee National Holiday draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country. This year, Holiday activities will be held Sept. 4-6 in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

"It's always an exciting time as we get ready to celebrate the Cherokee National Holiday and commemorate the rebuilding of the Cherokee government following the Trail of Tears," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. "This is a time for us to celebrate the resiliency of our Cherokee ancestors and the work they put forth to make us what we are today."

The 74^th Cherokee National Holiday theme is "Together: A Legacy of Community, Family and Culture" ᎢᎦᎵᎪ: ᏄᏍᏛᎤᏃᎯᏳᏒ ᏍᎦᏚᎩ ᎤᎾᏙᏢᏒ, ᏏᏓᏁᎸ ᎠᎴ ᏱᎦᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗᎢ.

This year's artwork encompasses 12 legislative acts championed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner throughout their administration. 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.

In the center of the design, the "Together" theme is encompassed by the southeastern traditional design inspired border that is used on all 12 insignias and a traditional four directions pottery stamp pattern. These insignias further reinforce the Hoskin/Warner administration's objectives to preserve and promote the Cherokee way of life. The eight colorful rings in the center also signify the eight years of service that Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner have committed in their current roles.

The insignia's found on the artwork include the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act; Public Health and Wellness Fund Act; Wilma P. Mankiller and Charlie Soap Water Act; Career Readiness Act; Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act; the Historic Registry Act; Gadugi Corps Volunteer and National Service Act; Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act; Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act; Heritage Center Act; Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act and Respond, Recover and Rebuild Act.

Along with the 12 legislative act insignias, this year's artwork was designed and created by Cherokee National Treasure Dan Mink.

The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which re-established the tribe's government in Indian Territory after forced removal from the Cherokees' original homelands in the Southeast.

To view upcoming activities and events for the Cherokee National Holiday visit https://thecherokeeholiday.com.

Vendors interested in arts and crafts, or food booth space can visit https://thecherokeeholiday.com/resources/vendors/.

To keep up with the latest news and announcements about the Cherokee National Holiday, follow the official Holiday Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cherokeenationalholiday.

For more information or for questions related to the Cherokee National holiday, contact Holiday Director Crystal Walters at 918-822-2427 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..