Every year on Labor Day weekend over 100,000 visitors travel to the town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma to celebrate a uniquely Cherokee event — Cherokee National Holiday, also referred to as Cherokee Homecoming. The normally small town of just over 16,000 people welcome Cherokee and non-Cherokee from all over the world with festivities to celebrate the
Cherokee Genealogy Queries Posted December 0
Online Course ‘Native Peoples of Oklahoma’ Offered for Free
The University of Oklahoma is offering a free online course this semester which explores all aspects of life for Native Peoples of Oklahoma. The course is an introduction into the history and cultural traditions, as well as contemporary contributions in film, art, and literature of the Native people of Oklahoma. Additionally, issues relating to law
Cherokees in the NFL
Did you know that there was a Cherokee playing in the 2008, 2011, and 2014 Super Bowl games? Yep. Wes Welker, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Born in Oklahoma City in 1981, Welker played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in college, and started his NFL career
Are You Ready for Some Stickball?
It’s Native American Heritage Month, so I thought I’d write an article about my favorite sports game. Coincidentally, my favorite sports game also happens to be an important and historical element in Cherokee culture — Stickball. If you’ve never had the opportunity to watch a modern Stickball match, I highly recommend it. But first, a
Will Rogers – Cherokee Kid
William Penn Adair Rogers was born to Clement “Clem” Vann Rogers and Mary America Schrimsher on November 4, 1879 in Cooweescoowee District, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (near Oolagah). Will was the youngest of eight children and grew up in a happy home on his family’s ranch until 1890 when his mother died. Growing up on
An Exclusive Interview with Cherokee Actor Wes Studi
Wes Studi is an actor of immense talent and range. He is great at playing good guys, bad guys, and everything in between. While he might not be a household name, he is well known to most film goers. He is often referred to as “the bad Indian in…” either Dances With Wolves or Last
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 and What It Means to You
Before you buy or sell Indian art you need to be aware of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. Did you know that it is illegal to sell an item as “Indian made” if it was not made by a federally (or state) recognized Indian or a certified tribal artisan? It is. Individuals
Martha Berry: Cherokee Beadwork Artist
At the age of five, Martha Berry’s mother and grandmother began teaching her to use a needle and thread. By nine, she was making her own clothes, and at twenty, she was a seamstress for a touring ice show. Born and raised in northeastern Oklahoma, to Cherokee/English/Scotch-Irish parents, she took her Cherokee heritage largely for