BOOK GUIDES
Cherokee Nation – FAQs
Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma , along with clear and informative answers. This list can be used for classroom learning, community presentations, or general educational purposes. 1. What is the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma? The Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized tribe and the largest of the three Cherokee tribes in the United States. It is headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and is a sovereign tribal government with its own constitution, laws, and elected officials. 2. How many citizens are enrolled in the Cherokee Nation? As of 2024, the Cherokee Nation has over 450,000 enrolled citizens, making it the largest tribal nation in the U.S. by population. 3. Where is the Cherokee Nation located today? The Cherokee Nation's headquarters is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma . Its jurisdictional service area spans 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma, although tribal citizens live throughout the United States and around the world. 4. What is the difference between the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians? The Cherokee Nation is based in Oklahoma and is descended from the Cherokee people who were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in the 1830s during the Trail of Tears. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians , headquartered in North Carolina, is composed of Cherokee who remained in the East and avoided removal. 5. How is the Cherokee Nation governed? The Cherokee Nation has a tribal government with an executive branch led by a Principal Chief, a legislative branch made up of a Tribal Council, and a judicial branch with its own Supreme Court. Citizens vote in regular elections for leaders and constitutional amendments. 6. What services does the Cherokee Nation provide? The Nation provides a wide range of services including health care, housing assistance, education programs, language revitalization, cultural preservation, child welfare, job training, and more for enrolled citizens. 7. What language do Cherokee people speak? The traditional language of the Cherokee is Tsalagi , or the Cherokee language. The Nation has active programs to revitalize and preserve the language, including immersion schools and community classes. 8. What is the Cherokee syllabary? The Cherokee syllabary is a written system for the Cherokee language developed by Sequoyah in the early 1800s. It uses symbols to represent syllables and made widespread literacy possible among the Cherokee people before removal. 9. What role did the Cherokee Nation play in U.S. history? The Cherokee Nation played a significant role in American legal and political history, particularly through landmark Supreme Court cases like Worcester v. Georgia (1832), which affirmed tribal sovereignty. The forced removal of the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears is one of the most well-known acts of injustice in U.S. history. 10. How does the Cherokee Nation preserve its culture today? The Nation supports museums, cultural centers, language programs, traditional arts and crafts, storytelling, powwows, and community gatherings to celebrate and maintain Cherokee heritage and identity. 11. How can someone verify their Cherokee ancestry or enroll in the Cherokee Nation? To enroll, individuals must prove direct descent from an ancestor listed on the Dawes Roll (a federal census of tribal citizens from the early 1900s). Genealogical assistance is available through the Cherokee Nation's registration office. 12. What is the Cherokee Nation's stance on sovereignty? The Cherokee Nation maintains that it is a sovereign government with the right to self-govern, make laws, enforce policies, and manage its own affairs independently of state or federal control, while maintaining a government-to-government relationship with the U.S.
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