Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with governance extending across multiple counties in the northeastern region. The nation serves over 400,000 enrolled members through healthcare, housing, education, and social services across its territorial jurisdiction.

The Cherokee Nation was founded in 1839 following the forced relocation of thousands of Cherokee people from their southeastern homeland during the Trail of Tears. This traumatic displacement shaped the tribe's establishment in Oklahoma and remains central to its contemporary identity and governance.

The Cherokee Heritage Center preserves traditional arts, language, and customs through exhibitions and educational programs. Visitors can experience how the nation maintains its cultural identity by learning about traditional crafts and historical narratives from community members.

Visitors can explore the territory by touring the Cherokee Heritage Center and other cultural sites in the Tahlequah area, with most locations accessible by car from major highways. Spring and fall offer comfortable conditions for traveling through the region and experiencing the natural landscape around the nation's jurisdiction.

The Cherokee language uses a syllabary writing system created by Sequoyah in the 1820s, one of few Native American languages with its own original script. This invention allowed the people to preserve their language in written form and spread literacy quickly throughout the nation.