Cherokee Nation celebrates 58 year landmark

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - This weekend the Cherokee Nation celebrates 58 years since the signing of its constitution.
It is the largest Indian tribe in Oklahoma with more than 290,000 citizens.

For some families, like the Coiners, the national holiday is a reunion for several generations. The Coiner family comes here each year to celebrate its heritage. Sadie Long is ready to pass down their history to her great-grand daughter Sara Bella Coiner.
"I want my great-grand baby to know what her people is, and to be with her people," she said.

She looks forward to this holiday all year.
"I love coming out here. This is a part of my people, this is us. And it makes me feel good, whether I know them or not, just to be with my people."

Long says gatherings like this keep the Cherokee Nation's traditions alive.
"We're losing our culture. It's changed from the time when I was a child," she said. "And if we don't get it started back somehow, we're going to lose our culture totally."

Principal Chief Chad Smith hopes to revive interest in the Cherokee history and culture.
"Unless we learn those stories and those lessons from our parents and grandparents, we're doomed to repeat them," he said.

He says the national holiday celebrates more than Cherokee patriotism.
"This is also a family reunion," Smith said. "Communities come together, families come together. About half of our population lives outside of Oklahoma, so it's a chance for all these communities to come back and reunite and learn about geneology and history. You can sense the feeling of fellowship and pride here today."