The Cherokee Nation will celebrate its 73rd annual Cherokee National Holiday over Labor Day weekend, including an inter-tribal powwow, parade and other longtime cultural favorites.
Traditionally, the Cherokee National Holiday draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country. This year, Holiday activities will be held Aug. 29-31 in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.
“Every year we celebrate the Cherokee National Holiday to commemorate the rebuilding of our government following the Trail of Tears, and to honor our Cherokee ancestors and the immense work that they put into making the Cherokee Nation what it is today,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “It is up to us to continue the traditions that our ancestors set forth for the next seven generations, and I look forward to gathering with fellow Cherokees for our celebration in August.”
The 73rd Cherokee National Holiday theme is “Gadugi – Unity Through Generations.”
In the center of this year’s Holiday artwork, two hands intertwined symbolize working together for a common good, “gadugi,” which is rooted in the Cherokee language and who Cherokees are as a collectivist society. Behind the hands is a tree that symbolizes the strength of family. The tree also has seven main branches that represent the next seven generations, while the roots represent consistency, steadiness and longevity. The Cherokee Nation is committed to protecting its inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting Cherokee culture, language and values and improving the quality of life for the next seven generations of Cherokee Nation citizens.
Surrounding the hands and the tree are several Southeastern motifs that symbolize water and wind in a counter-clockwise fashion to represent the direction of a stomp dance at ceremonial grounds. To reinforce the “gadugi” theme, the artist, Cherokee National Treasure Dan Mink, incorporated three interlocking swirls that symbolize two parties coming together, and the resulting action. It also represents the past, present and future as Cherokee people. Seven swirls surround the center of the design representing the seven Cherokee clans.
The crosshatch pattern represents the Cherokee citizen population in the 14-county Cherokee Nation Reservation and around the world. Behind the center design is a quilt design. Quilts are often family heirlooms that are passed down through the generations. This element represents Cherokee generations coming together in gadugi for this year’s Cherokee National Holiday.
The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which re-established the tribe’s government in Indian Territory after forced removal from the Cherokees’ original homelands in the Southeast.
To view upcoming activities and events for the Cherokee National Holiday visit https://thecherokeeholiday. com/.
Vendors interested in arts and crafts, or food booth space can visit https://thecherokeehol i day. com/ resources/ vendors/. For more information, contact Crystal Walters at 918-822-2427 or email holiday@cherokee. org.
