on location: west ❖
randy mink
Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Department
B
efore my recent trip to the Cherokee Nation in Northeastern Oklahoma, I confess that I
had only a foggy idea who the Cherokees were. I was practically clueless about their history, language and achievements. Thanks to an ambitious program launched three years ago by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Department, word is spreading on what this 14-county enclave offers the group traveler. Four day-long options—the “Cherokee History Tour,” Will Rogers History Tour,” Civil War History Tour” and “Cherokee Old Settler Tour”—shed light on the Cherokee people and can be tailored to any group. And new tourism developments continue to unfold. The tourism department has a 25-seat van available for tours and can provide a step-on guide for groups with their own vehicles. Besides the four standard tour itineraries,
OklahOma’S
Cherokee
heritage Tours and historical attractions spotlight a remarkable people
it can custom-design programs (for 10 or more) to focus on traditional Cherokee cuisine, basket weaving, pottery, native plants, storytelling, genealogy and other subjects. 26 February 2012
Cherokee Nation tourism staff members shed light on attractions like the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum in Tahlequah.
After the Navajos, the Cherokees are the largest group of American Indians. Oklahoma, with 39 tribal headquarters, has more Indians than any other state. Oklahoma license plates bear the words Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Department
“Native America,” and you’ll see many plates with “Cherokee Nation,” “Muscogee Nation” and other tribal designations. The Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill, six miles from Tahlequah, tells the Cherokee story in a nutshell. It’s composed of three distinct elements— Visitors learn about traditional Cherokee crafts at the Cherokee Heritage Center.
the recently renovated Cherokee National Museum, Ancient Village and
The Cherokees, who initially lived in
Native American bilingual newspaper,
the Southeastern U.S. before being
the Cherokee Phoenix, reflects how pro-
The museum’s centerpiece is the Trail
forcibly removed by the federal govern-
gressive Cherokee society was in the
of Tears exhibit, which explores the tragic
ment to make room for white settlers,
19th century.
exodus of some 16,000 Cherokees
Adams Corner Rural Village.
had developed an advanced civilization
The Cherokee Nation jurisdiction,
forced from their homes in Tennessee,
that placed a high emphasis on educa-
which is not a reservation, covers all of
North Carolina and other Southeastern
tion. Their constitution was modeled
eight counties and parts of six more in
states in 1838-39. They were rounded up
after the U.S. form of government. Un-
an area encompassing 149,000 Chero-
and put in unsanitary stockades before
like the Plains Indians, who moved from
kee citizens, who carry a citizenship
boarding wagons for the long journey to
place to place, the Cherokees were
card, or “blue card.” Its capital is Tahle-
Oklahoma, then known as Indian Terri-
farmers and merchants.
quah, where street signs are in both
tory. Thousands died of hunger, disease
English and Cherokee. The Cherokees
and heat, and were buried on the trail.
Molly Jarvis, the Cherokee Nation’s vice president of cultural tourism, said the tribe does not fit Hollywood’s stereotypical depiction of Indians
have their own police force, court
The Ancient Village, one of the
system and other units of
Heritage Center’s outdoor museums,
tribal government.
wearing headdresses and living
settlement, featuring demonstrations of The Will Rogers Memorial Museum honors the famous Cherokee from Oklahoma.
in tepees. “That just doesn’t apply to Cherokee culture.”
depicts Cherokee life before European various crafts, from cooking and gardening to arrowhead, pottery and basket
She said the Cherokees were a mound-building people and lived in villages of log-andmud
houses
surrounded
by
fence-like structures. The more affluent even lived in plantation-style homes. The first written Native American language, based on a syllabary (alphabet) of 86 characters, was introduced by a Cherokee in 1819 and led to an immediate increase in literacy rates among Randy Mink
Cherokee speakers. The Cherokees also established the first institute of higher learning for women west of the Mississippi. And the printing of the first LeisureGroupTravel.com
Frontier military history comes to life at this army fort established in 1824.
February 2012 27
on location: west â?– making. Groups can arrange a stickball game or blowgun shoot. The village has been undergoing improvements the past two years and final construction will be complete by this May. Adams Corner is a circa-1890 pioneer MEMORIAL MUSEUM Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 12 - 6 p.m., last ticket sold daily at 5 p.m. Outdoor Symbolic Memorial grounds are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week MUSEUM ADMISSION Group Rates (15 or more) Adults $10 s Seniors (62+) $8 Military (With ID) $8 Students $5 (Chaperone ratio for free admission is 7 to 1)
Admission for bus drivers and group tour operators FREE 620 N Harvey Ave s Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405.235.3313 or 888.542.HOPE (4673)
town simulating a rural Cherokee community prior to Oklahoma statehood. Original and replica buildings include a church, house, school and general store. For groups, Cherokee Tourism can arrange a traditional hog fry at Adams Corner or other locations. The meal, a staple of family reunions, political campaigns and other events, consists of fried pork, beans, vegetables and fry bread. Nearby, the John Ross Museum is the newest Cherokee attraction. Housed in a former school, it highlights the life of fair-skinned, blue-eyed John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from
OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org
28 February 2012
1828-1866. Also in Park Hill is the 1844
LeisureGroupTravel.com
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a sampling of memorable quotes from Oklahoma favorite son Will Rogers, log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=26170.
Murrell Home, the only surviving antebellum plantation home in Oklahoma.
Catoosa is home to the Hard Rock
For groups seeking to add a fascinat-
Hotel & Casino Tulsa, the largest of
ing historical slant to an Oklahoma itin-
Sights in downtown Tahlequah include
eight casinos operated by Cherokee
erary—and have fun at the same
the Cherokee National Capitol and
Nation Entertainment. A third hotel
time—the Cherokee Nation has thought
Cherokee National Supreme Court
tower, to be completed later this year,
of everything.
Building. The latter, the oldest govern-
will add 100 suites and 55,000 square
For more information, contact the
ment building in Oklahoma (1844), has
feet of entertainment and gaming
Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism De-
exhibits on the Cherokee judicial system,
space, including a smoke-free casino
partment at 877-779-6977, cherokee-
Cherokee language and Cherokee
floor and hotel rooms.
tourismok.com. LGT
Advocate newspaper (once printed in the building). The Cherokee National Prison Museum opens this spring. Fort Gibson Historic Site, another area attraction, was an army fort established in 1824 to keep peace in Indian Territory. Costumed interpreters can do various living history programs for groups. Themes range from music and gardening to the Civil War and Buffalo Soldiers. Cherokee Tourism’s “Will Rogers History Tour” celebrates the life of Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s favorite son. Part Cherokee and proud of it, he was the leading celebrity of his day until he was killed in a 1935 plane crash in Alaska. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore is one of the largest museums in the country dedicated to someone who
PUR E SIMPLE
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was not a politician or military hero. Exhibits, video clips and a movie narrated by Bob Hope showcase Rogers’ accomplishments as a champion roper, radio personality, Hollywood actor, newspaper columnist, aviation enthusiast, polo player and friend of U.S. presidents. Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch is a short drive from Claremore, near the town of Oologah. Inside the house, visitors see the log-walled room where Rogers was born in 1875 and view a black-and-white video narrated by Will Rogers Jr. A chuckwagon picnic lunch under the trees can be arranged, and the barn has party space for groups. Obtain Oklahoma visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
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T he O kl ahoma St ate C apitol D ome and the O kl ahoma C it y National Memor ial & Mu seum
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