Experience Native Cultures of the Past and Present on the Cherokee Hills Byway

Inter Tribal Pow Wow (OK) [1]

Respect for tradition, preservation of a unique heritage, effective self-governance – these values are as important to the Cherokee Nation today as they have been for thousands of years.  As you travel the Cherokee Hills Byway in eastern Oklahoma, watch the sobering story of the Trail of Tears unfold through art and living history demonstrations. Today, Cherokee history and culture is still strongly shaped by this tragic event. Despite this difficult past, the Cherokee Nation celebrates the present without forgetting the struggles of their ancestors.  Along with historical sites and traditional practices, the byway is home to some lively celebrations including the Cherokee National Holiday and The Art of Living. A cultural journey awaits on the Cherokee Hills Byway.

Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex (OK) [2]

In the middle of the byway a few miles south of Tahlequah sits the modern seat of Cherokee government. The W.W. Keeler Complex houses the executive and legislative branches, both of which retain similarities to historic Cherokee government practices.  In fact, the head of the executive branch is the “Principal Chief” and the legislature of the Cherokee Nation is the “Tribal Council.” Visitors are welcome to tour the tribal headquarters and learn more about the modern Cherokee government.

Tsa La Gi Ancient Village (OK) [3]

The Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill, a short drive west of the W.W. Keeler Complex, offers visitors a chance to experience three eras of Cherokee life. The Ancient Village of Tsa-La-Gi was built on the grounds of the old Cherokee Female Seminary in an effort to preserve the history of the ancient Cherokee. On a tour of the center, visitors can see what their life was like before European contact. Watch flint knapping (the art of shaping flint into tools), basketry, pottery, and bow-making demonstrations.

Trail of Tears Exhibit at the Cherokee National Museum (OK) [4]

Delve deeper into the history of the Trail of Tears at the Cherokee National Museum, also located at the Cherokee Heritage Center. Home to a permanent exhibit devoted to the tragic journey, the museum uses art to depict the heart-wrenching story of this 6,000-mile forced march that occurred in 1838-1839.  The clash between the Cherokee Nation and United States Government culminated in the deaths of more than 4,000 Cherokee. The museum also hosts two major art shows and other temporary exhibits. At Adam’s Corner, visitors can peer into a re-creation of a Cherokee village in the 1890s and see what life was like after the Trail of Tears. Take your choice of guided tours and learn about the everyday challenges in the Cherokee Nation before Oklahoma became a state, or follow the life of a Cherokee Female Seminary graduate, Amanda Scales, whose life story personifies the Cherokee history of the time.

Traditional Cherokee Artist (OK) [5]

Many members of the Cherokee Nation combine ancient traditions of art with modern techniques to create pottery, photography, painting, and sculpture. Jane Osti is one such artist, and her studio in Tahlequah also houses the Cherokee Native Art and Plant Society.  Her pottery is influenced strongly by traditional Cherokee methods and the natural world. At the studio, you can view natural depictions and traditional patterns worked into the clay. 

In Tahlequah, you can learn about the cultural heritage of the Cherokee Government at the Cherokee National Prison, the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, and the Cherokee National Capitol Building. All of these sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cherokee National Prison was the only penitentiary in the Indian Territory from 1875-1901 and was constructed to hold the toughest of criminals. At the prison, visitors can learn about the scandalous murder charge leveled against the prison’s High Sheriff, Samuel Sixkiller. After being accused, Sixkiller refused to turn over control of the prison and promised to defend it with force if necessary. He only backed down when the Principal Chief, Charles Thompson, intervened. The Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, constructed in 1844, is the oldest government building in the state of Oklahoma.  At the museum, learn about the Cherokee judicial system; the first publication of the Cherokee people, the Cherokee Advocate; and the development of the Cherokee language.  The Cherokee National Capitol Building housed the legislative and executive branches of government until 1906 and is now home to the judicial branch.

Colorful Costumes of the Cherokee National Holiday Powwow (OK) [6]

Tahlequah is home to lively annual festivals like the Cherokee National Holiday and the Art of Living. The Cherokee National Holiday, held over Labor Day weekend, commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Constitution in 1839 and has been celebrated for more than 50 years. Sample mouthwatering traditional dishes like fry bread, kanvtsi (hickory nut soup), or grape dumplings; revel in the colorful displays of the Cherokee National Holiday Parade; watch the exciting sporting events of the Traditional Games Championship; and celebrate the culture of the Cherokee at an intertribal powwow. Visitors can also view some of the Cherokee Nation’s finest art displays at the Cherokee National Holiday Art Show.

Cherokee Matriarch and Child at the Columns of the Original Cherokee Female Seminary (OK) [7]

A journey on the Cherokee Hills Byway will take you closer to deeply-held traditions of the Cherokee. Take in the lively festivals, colorful artwork, and rich heritage of the Cherokee way of life.  Come experience a beautiful fusion of past and present on the Cherokee Hills Byway.