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The Cherokees know how to celebrate! Come see for yourself when 80,000 to 100,000 guests gather to enjoy the 53rd annual Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Sept. 2–4. The holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839.
With more than 40 events scheduled, the celebration serves up something of interest for everyone. This includes a competitive powwow on Friday and Saturday, the crowning of a Mr. and Ms. Cherokee, a large Native arts and crafts show and sale (with an emphasis on Cherokee works, especially baskets and pottery), a quilt contest and display, a fully staged dramatic presentation, and lots of music, including gospel singing, a children’s choir and fiddle playing.
Athletic competitions are also a central aspect of the holiday, with tournaments held in stickball, cornstalk archery, blowgun use, slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball, horseshoe pitching, traditional “marbles” (similar to Italian bocce) and other fields. Many of the competitors for the traditional games are drawn from winners culled from tournaments held in many Cherokee communities during the preceding seven months, explains holiday director Lou Slagle.
A Living Treasures Reception, a State of the Union address by Principal Chief Chad Smith, a parade, an Original Enrollees Reception and other similar presentations provide a wonderful opportunity for Cherokees from across the nation and world to renew old friendships and share news.
“For the Cherokees, it’s like a huge family reunion,” says Slagle, “while the traditional games, intertribal powwow, parade, and arts and crafts are the major attractions for our visitors.”
Visitors are also encouraged to drop by the Cherokee Heritage Center to obtain a better understanding of the rich history of the Cherokee people and their traumatic expulsion from their traditional homelands in the South during the Trail of Tears.
Details: Most events are free to spectators. 800/850-0348 or www.cherokee.org
Elsewhere
Spend a day at Middfest International on Donham Plaza, Middletown, OH, Sept. 30–Oct. 2 with its emphasis this year on Indigenous peoples of the world. Tribes represented will include the Maori of New Zealand, Sami of Norway, Mapuche and Aymara of Chile, Bushmen of South Africa, Inuit of Canada, Ainu of Japan and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma through exhibits, music, dance and foods. 513/425-7707 or www.middfestinternational.org
Head to the He Sapa Wacipi (Black Hills Powwow), Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, SD, Oct. 7–9. This major gathering on the northern Plains includes a competitive powwow (with grand entries on Oct. 7 at 1 and 7 p.m., on Oct. 8 at 1 and 7 p.m., and on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.), a parade, fine arts and craft sales, a hand game tournament, a Miss He Sapa Win pageant, and contemporary music. 605/341-0925 or www.blackhillspowwow.com
Wing it to the 6th annual Indigenous People’s Art Market, Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways, Mt. Pleasant, MI, Oct. 7–9. A program of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, this growing event includes a good art market of works focused on local Native artisans, and provides access to the exceptional new center’s permanent and changing exhibitions, café and gift shop. 800/225-8172, ext. 54121 or www.sagchip.org/ziibiwing
Come on down to Indian Summer Days, Chattanooga, TN, Oct. 8–9, which includes sale of arts and crafts, games, storytelling, music and demonstrations of traditional skills like weapon making, flint knapping, wood carving, mask making, Native cooking and more. 423/892-1499 or www.audubonchattanooga.org
Bring an appetite to the 2nd annual Native American Farmers’ Market, Pueblo Grande Museum, Phoenix, Oct. 15. The unusual event includes demonstrations of traditional food preparation, crafts made from cultivated or wild plants (such as gourds, soaps, etc.), and sale of pumpkins. Still accepting vendor and farmer applications (free). Also opening is a new children’s exhibit, Dig It! Free admission. 602/262-6862 or www.pueblogrande.com
Visit the 7th annual Indian Arts Expo, Oct. 29–30, Radisson Hotel, Merrillville, IN (35 miles south of Chicago), a juried show with awards sponsored by the Council for Indigenous Arts and Culture. Some 45 artists are expected to attend. There will be live demonstrations both days and a live auction of show artist works on Saturday evening. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. 219/942-9022 or www.ciaccouncil.org
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