Cherokee Nation calendar of events for September
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. —The month of September begins with the 63rd Cherokee National Holiday, the tribe’s largest annual celebration commemorating the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839. Events include the Cherokee National Holiday powwow, parade and Principal Chief Bill John Baker’s State of the Nation address. See all Cherokee Nation calendar items below.
Sept. 3
Cherokee Nation citizens can renew their tribal license plates online starting in September. Citizens need a copy of their citizenship card, last four digits of their VIN, insurance verification and tag number. For more information on tribal car tags or online tag renewals, call 918-453-5100 or log onto www.cherokee.org and follow the links for the tag office and tax commission.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The John Ross Museum in Park Hill offers free admission for the unveiling of the Cherokee Love Story exhibit. The exhibit features the love story between John Ross and Miss Mary B. Stapler. Visitors can pay $25 to have a rosebush planted in honor of their own love story, complete with a garden plaque. For more information, call 877-779-6977.
Sept. 4-5
5 p.m. – The Cherokee National Holiday powwow, in Tahlequah, offers more than $35,000 in prize money for Southern Strait, Northern Traditional, Fancy, Jingle and other dance categories. The powwow was named as the second largest powwow in the country by Indian Country Today in 2014. It’s held at the Cherokee Cultural Grounds and begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, and continues Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 2 p.m. The event is free.
Sept. 4-6
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Celebrate Cherokee National Holiday with free admission to all Cherokee Nation museums. For more information, call 877-779-6977.
Sept. 5
9:30 a.m. – The Cherokee National Holiday parade offers more than 100 floats or marching bands winding down Muskogee Avenue in downtown Tahlequah.
11 a.m. – Chief Baker delivers his State of the Nation address following the Cherokee National Holiday Parade at the Cherokee Nation Capitol Square inTahlequah. The speech has been a tradition at the site since the mid-1800s for citizens who want to hear highlights from the tribe’s year of progress.
Sept. 8
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tribal registration help with citizenship applications in Jay. Sam Hider Health Center, 1015 Washbourne St. Call 918-253-4271.
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Free smoking cessation classes in Vinita at the Vinita Health Center, 27371 S. 4410 Road. To enroll in the six-week class, contact Amy DeVore at amy-devore@cherokee.org or 918-256-4800, ext. 4875.
Sept. 11
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tribal registration help with citizenship applications in the Sallisaw sub-office, 110 N. Elm. Call 918-775-6226.
Sept. 13
2:30 to 6:45 p.m. – Free admission for Cherokee Nation Day at Guthrie Green Downtown Tulsa (Tulsa Roots Rocks the Green.) For more information, call 877-779-6977.
Sept. 14
9 a.m. to noon – Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Vet Center and DAV Chapter #50 will be in Vinita at the Vinita Health Center to help veterans with claims, benefits and readjustment issues. For more information, please contact Matthew Tiger at 918-453-5693 or matthew-tiger@cherokee.org.
6 p.m. – Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting at the W.W. Keeler Complex, 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah. For the agenda, visithttp://legislative.cherokee.org.
Sept. 16
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tribal registration help with citizenship applications in Vinita at the Vinita Health Center, 27371 S. 4410 Rd. Call 918-256-4576.
Sept. 18
Noon to 1 p.m. – Learn the basics of researching your family and their history at a Genealogy Class hosted at the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum inTahlequah. Class is free, but limited to 25 people. For more information, call 877-779-6977.
Sept. 21
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tribal registration help with citizenship applications in Collinsville at the Cherokee Nation Tag Office, 105 E. Main. Call 918-371-3265.
Sept. 23
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tribal registration help with citizenship applications in Claremore at the Cherokee Nation Career Services Office, 23205 S. Hwy 66. Call 918-342-7450.
Sept. 24
6 to 7 p.m. – Cancer Survivor Group Meeting in Tahlequah at W.W. Hastings Hospital Annex Building, 100 S. Bliss Ave. For more information, contact Margie Burkhart at 918-453-5440 or Ruth Hummingbird at 918-453-5759.
Sept. 26
7 a.m. – The Bird Walk/5K Run in Tahlequah at Norris Park. Registration fee is $15 before Sept. 16 and $20 day of the race. First 400 receive a T-shirt. For more information, contact Mary Owl at 918-525-2717 or mary-owl@cherokee.org.
Sept. 28
9 a.m. – Cherokee Warrior Flight with eight World War II and three Korean War veterans leave Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa for Tulsa International Airport for a three-day tour of war memorials in Washington, D.C.
Sept. 30
1 to 4 p.m. – Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Vet Center and DAV Chapter #50 will be in Vinita at the Vinita Health Center to help veterans with claims, benefits and readjustment issues. For more information, please contact Matthew Tiger at 918-453-5693 or matthew-tiger@cherokee.org.
For a full list of upcoming 63rd Cherokee National Holiday events on Labor Day weekend, visit www.cherokee.org and click the Cherokee National Holiday quick link.
