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Culture & Travel
Experience the rich heritage, language, and traditions of the Cherokee people across all three tribes — the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band. From historic homelands and cultural sites to modern festivals and travel destinations, this section celebrates the beauty, resilience, and living culture of the Cherokee people.
Milam Family Marks 140th Cherokee Thanksgiving Tradition, One of the Oldest in the Cherokee Nation
CLAREMORE, Okla. — A Cherokee family tradition that began along the Old Texas Road in 1886 will mark its 140th gathering this month, making it one of the longest-running Thanksgiving celebrations in the Cherokee Nation. The Milam family — whose descendants trace their Cherokee lineage through Mary Elizabeth (Milam) Hunter — will reunite on Nov. 27 at the Claremore Elks Lodge, continuing a tradition that has survived frontier hardship, two world wars, and a global pandemic. Th
Cherokee 411 Staff
4 days ago3 min read
Cherokee Nation Playwright DeLanna Studi Named Finalist for 2025–26 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize—the oldest and most prestigious international award recognizing women+ playwrights writing for the English-speaking stage has announced its finalists for the 2025–26 cycle. Among the ten writers honored this year is DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation), celebrated actor, writer, and advocate for Indigenous visibility in the arts.
Cherokee 411 Staff
4 days ago3 min read
Thomas King Acknowledges He Has No Cherokee Ancestry After Genealogical Revie
Author Thomas King has confirmed that genealogical research found no evidence of Cherokee ancestry in his family line—despite decades of identifying as Cherokee. King says he believed family stories about a Cherokee grandfather but now accepts the findings presented by the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. His announcement adds to a wider conversation about identity fraud and the sovereignty of Cherokee Nations in determining citizenship.
Cherokee 411 Staff
4 days ago2 min read
SMU Student Showcases Cherokee Continuance Through Art and Family Storytelling
Story Submitted By James Humphrey At Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Cherokee Nation citizen Gracyn Buckner unveiled a deeply personal exhibition titled “Continuance in Cherokee Nation Tradition and Art Making,” on view November 11–18 at the Meadows School of the Arts. More than a traditional gallery display, Buckner’s exhibition functions as a living installation—one that grows with every visitor who steps inside. Each conversation, reflection, and shared memory
gwy411
Nov 181 min read
Cherokee Composer Anjelica Lindsey to Premiere “Eroica” at Indigenous Music Festival
Cherokee composer Anjelica Lindsey’s Eroica for Wind Trio debuts Nov. 14 at Houston’s Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival.
Cherokee 411 Staff
Nov 101 min read
Cherokee language at risk, but Western Carolina University leads efforts to preserve it
Cherokee Nation citizen Tom Belt warns that losing the Cherokee language means losing a unique way of seeing the world. With only about 140 fluent speakers remaining in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, preservation efforts at Western Carolina University are working to turn the tide. Through classroom study, art, and music, the university’s Cherokee Language Program is helping to keep a 13,000-year-old culture and worldview alive.
Cherokee 411 Staff
Nov 72 min read
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