Cherokee Holiday Event to Honor Military Service This Coming Saturday

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is hosting a reception to honor all service men and women at the 59th Cherokee National Holiday on Saturday, September 3 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sequoyah Schools' Place Where They Play in Tahlequah.

Cherokee National Holiday - Saturday, September 3

Both a family and a cultural event, the annual reception has continued to grow over the years and includes displays honoring service men and women of various decades as well as those who have been lost during service to their country. Veterans from all eras and military branches are encouraged to attend and enjoy fellowship, refreshments and entertainment.

New this year, 20 Eastern Band Cherokees from Cherokee, North Carolina will join Cherokee Nation's Acting Principal Chief in welcoming attendees. Special recognition will also be given to the 2011 Miss Cherokee, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council members, and state and federal dignitaries. The veterans and their families can also enjoy musical selections performed live by the Cherokee National Youth Choir and Christina Hanvey.

The Cherokee National Holiday, held annually over Labor Day weekend since 1953, commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Nation 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. The 59th Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. It is sponsored by the Cherokee Nation, a modern tribe of more than 300,000 citizens with its capital in Tahlequah. This year's Holiday theme is "Jobs, Language and Community," reflecting the Cherokee Nation's emphasis on cultural and economic initiatives.

posted August 29, 2011 7:00 am edt