Cherokee Nation
Visit Cherokee Nation is the official cultural tourism department for the Cherokee Nation. Efforts by the Cherokee Nation include award-winning cultural, specialty and event tours and operation of three Cherokee Nation museums, six Cherokee Nation gift shops and two Cherokee Nation welcome centers.
The Cherokee Compass Program has been designed as a fun way to combine experiences throughout the Cherokee Nation. The official Compass booklet contains self-guided tour information, Cherokee trivia, games and special offers from local vendors. Adults also receive a free commemorative T-shirt. Among the 107 destinations, main attractions include the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, Cherokee National Prison Museum and the John Ross Museum.
“We always encourage our group tours to contact our sales team within our cultural tourism department,” said Molly Jarvis, senior vice president of marketing and cultural tourism for Cherokee Nation Businesses, Molly Jarvis. “Our cultural tourism program can supply Cherokee cultural step-on guides, and the Cherokee Compass program can be experienced several ways.”
Cherokee Nation offers four standard tours. Each tour lasts about a day but some sites overlap. According to Jarvis, if a group wants to see all the sites, it takes about three days. Most opt for the Cherokee History Tour. However, itineraries can be customized to include an activity such as a basket-making class, stickball demonstration or traditional meal.
Cherokee Attractions
A must-see when groups visit the Tahlequah area, the Cherokee Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization and the premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts. Located in the heart of the Cherokee Nation, it was established in 1963 by the Cherokee National Historical Society to preserve and promote the Cherokee culture.
The center is hosting three upcoming art shows: the 21st Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show, August 27-28, the Cherokee National Treasures Art Show, October 1-November 5, and the Anna Mitchell Legacy Exhibit, held November 12-April 1.
The Cherokee Art Market, held October 8-9 in Tulsa, is one of the largest Native American art shows in Oklahoma. It features 150 elite Native American artists, representing 50 different tribes from across the United States. Artist demonstrations both days will showcase jewelry making, stamp work technique, Katsina doll making, pottery, painting, basket weaving and music.
“The quality of work is very high, and visitors can buy pieces that are less than $100 to more than $10,000,” said Jarvis. “Everyone can appreciate the art whether they’re taking something home or just browsing.”
