Cherokee Nation

Cherokee Nation
Common name	Cherokee Nation
Flag caption	Flag of the Cherokee Nation
Capital	Tahlequah
Largest city	Tahlequah
Official languages	Cherokee, English
Government type	Tribal Nation
Leader title1	Principal Chief
Leader name1	Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Leader title2	Deputy Principal Chief
Leader name2	Bryan Warner
Legislature	Tribal Council
Sovereignty type	Domestic dependent nation
Established event1	Re-established
Established date1	1975
Area km2	17409
Population estimate	450,000+
Population estimate year	2023

Cherokee Nation. It is the largest federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States, with more than 450,000 enrolled citizens as of 2023. The nation's jurisdictional territory spans over 7,000 square miles across 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma, with its capital in Tahlequah. Governed by a constitution, its modern government was re-established in 1975 following the Supreme Court case and the Dawes Act, which dismantled its previous institutions.

History

The historical trajectory is defined by early interactions with European colonists, culminating in the Trail of Tears following the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the subsequent Treaty of New Echota. This forced relocation, orchestrated by the Jackson administration, displaced thousands to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. The late 19th century brought further upheaval with the Dawes Rolls and the Curtis Act of 1898, which dismantled tribal governments in preparation for Oklahoma statehood. A pivotal legal moment was the 1970 case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, which affirmed its unique political status. The modern era began with the ratification of a new constitution in 1975, and a landmark 2017 decision by the United States Supreme Court in McGirt v. Oklahoma reaffirmed its reservation boundaries.

Government and politics

The government operates as a tripartite republic with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive is led by the elected Principal Chief, currently Chuck Hoskin Jr., and the Deputy Principal Chief, Bryan Warner. The legislative branch is the 17-member Tribal Council, elected from districts within the reservation. The judicial branch includes the Cherokee Nation District Court and the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court, with authority over a wide range of civil and criminal matters. The nation maintains a significant government relations office in Washington, D.C. to engage with Congress and federal agencies.

Culture and society

Cultural preservation is a central endeavor, focused on revitalizing the Cherokee language through immersion schools like the Cherokee Immersion Charter School and the Durbin Feeling Language Center. The Cherokee syllabary, created by Sequoyah in the early 19th century, remains in active use. Major cultural institutions include the Cherokee Heritage Center near Park Hill and the annual Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah. The nation publishes the Cherokee Phoenix, a historic and contemporary bilingual newspaper. Traditional practices such as stickball, pottery, and rivercane basketry are actively promoted.

Economy

The economy is diverse and robust, anchored by Cherokee Nation Businesses, a sprawling holding company with interests in federal contracting, hospitality, manufacturing, and information technology. Its gaming operations, including venues like Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, generate significant revenue that funds government services and infrastructure. Other major enterprises include Cherokee Nation Entertainment and CNB Technology. The nation is also a major employer in northeastern Oklahoma and invests heavily in community development, broadband expansion, and healthcare facilities like the W. W. Hastings Hospital.

Demographics

With an enrolled citizenry exceeding 450,000, it is the most populous tribal nation in the U.S. A significant portion of citizens reside outside the tribal reservation, with large communities in states like California, Texas, and Arkansas. The demographic profile is young, with a median age below the national average. Citizenship is based on lineal descent from individuals listed on the Dawes Rolls, a federal census finalized in 1907. The nation's jurisdiction covers a 14-county area in Oklahoma, encompassing cities such as Tahlequah, Muskogee, and Claremore.

Contemporary issues

Key contemporary issues include the ongoing exercise of criminal jurisdiction following the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, which has required expanded law enforcement and judicial resources. The nation is engaged in legal and political efforts to secure a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, a right outlined in the Treaty of 1835. Other priorities include addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, managing the opioid epidemic, and litigating water rights disputes with the State of Oklahoma. The restoration of the Freedmen to full citizenship rights after the 2017 ruling in Cherokee Nation v. Nash remains a significant social and legal matter.

Category:Native American tribes in Oklahoma Category:Federally recognized tribes in the United States