TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation will host several events in the month of December, including a celebration of the new Wilma Mankiller Barbie, Christmas on the Square in downtown Tahlequah, an Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K race in Hulbert, and a holiday-themed open house at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.
December 1
Christmas on the Square: Stop by this special holiday event in historic downtown Tahlequah from 4 to 6 p.m. for a variety of festive activities that will take place on the grounds of the Cherokee National History Museum. Take family photos with Santa Claus and enjoy free refreshments outside in the gazebo. Inside of the Cherokee National History Museum, check out a special make-and-take area to create Christmas ornament. There also will be a holiday exhibit, “The First Cherokee Christmas,” that features fun family activities. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will run through Dec. 30.
December 2
Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K: Join the Cherokee Nation Wings Program for this 5K race beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Sequoyah Lodge at Sequoyah State Park in Hulbert, Okla. The race is free to members of the Wings Program, but is also open to non-members for a fee. There will also be a 1K fun run beginning at 8 a.m. Registration and packet pickup will begin at 7 a.m. Medals will be awarded to the top three male/female standard age groups, and shirts will be handed out after the race while supplies last. For more information or to register, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/OK/Hulbert/UglyChristmasSweater5kGoneVirtual. Contact kindle-spry@cherokee.org for questions.
December 5
Wilma Mankiller Barbie Celebration: Join the Wilma Mankiller Foundation, the Wilma Mankiller family and the Cherokee Nation as they celebrate the legacy of Wilma Mankiller and her presence in Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series. This event, which is open to the public, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chota Event Center, 3307 Seven Clans Ave., in Tahlequah. Because of a backlog and high demand for the dolls, there will not be Barbies available to purchase at the celebration — but there will be lots of celebration!
Looking for a job with the Cherokee Nation? Cherokee Nation Human Resources will be conducting open job interviews from 2 to 4 p.m. at 17723 S. Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah. Receive one-on-one assistance with your application and an interview with a Human Resources representative. While a résumé is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged to bring one along. For more information, please contact Human Resources by calling 918-772-4278 or by emailing hr-recruitment@cherokee.org.
December 6
Looking for a job with the Cherokee Nation? Cherokee Nation Human Resources will be conducting open job interviews from 10 a.m. to noon at Will Rogers Health Center, 1020 Lenape Drive, in Nowata, Okla. Receive one-on-one assistance with your application and an interview with a Human Resources representative. While a résumé is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged to bring one along. For more information, please contact Human Resources by calling 918-772-4278 or by emailing hr-recruitment@cherokee.org.
December 7
Sequoyah Invitational Basketball Tournament: Come get rowdy and root on your favorite teams at this year’s tournament hosted by Sequoyah High School at the Place Where They Play gymnasium on Dec. 7, 8 and 9. Games will start each day at 10 a.m., and the last game each evening will be played at 8 p.m. For more information, please contact Justin Brown at 918-453-5179 or justin-brown@cherokee.org. Children under 5 get in free; $5 for all other ages.
Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services will hold a Stuff the Ambulance event Dec. 7, 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart in Tahlequah. The EMS crews will be collecting toys that Cherokee Nation’s Indian Child Welfare office will hand out to children. Bring a happy holiday to children by stopping by and donating any of the following items: blankets (small throw blankets), diapers and wipes (all sizes needed), shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toys for all ages, puzzles, board games, clothing for all ages, winter coats, shoes, gloves, hats, scarfs, sports equipment and balls. For questions, please contact Jodie Rainwater at 918-207-3830 and jodie-rainwater@cherokee.org.
December 11
Get into the holiday spirit by stopping by the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a Christmas Open House. Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, learn about Cherokee Nation programs, enjoy refreshments and possibly win a door prize. For more information, please contact Channing Rogers at 918-500-2197.
December 12
The Council of the Cherokee Nation is holding their Christmas Social and Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Tribal Council Committee Meeting Room at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. Christmas dinner will be served. For questions, please contact gayle-miller@cherokee.org.
The Cherokee National Youth Choir will perform a Christmas concert at Elm Tree Baptist in Tahlequah at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Elm Tree Baptist is located at 1390 E. Crafton St. in Tahlequah.
Looking for a job with the Cherokee Nation? Cherokee Nation Human Resources will be conducting open job interviews from 2 to 4 p.m. at 17723 S. Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah. Receive one-on-one assistance with your application and an interview with a Human Resources representative. While a résumé is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged to bring one along. For more information, please contact Human Resources by calling 918-772-4278 or by emailing hr-recruitment@cherokee.org.
December 14
All fluent Cherokee speakers are invited to this free monthly luncheon held from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. every second Thursday of the month and hosted by the Cherokee Nation Language Department at the Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah. For more information, please call 918-207-4901 or email language@cherokee.org.
Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Blood Institute will be holding a blood drive at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. This event is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Tsa-La-Gi Community Room. Donors will receive a long-sleeve holiday T-shirt and a copy of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. For more information, please contact OBI at 877-340-8777 Cherokee Nation Community Health Nursing at 539-234-1816.
December 15
Sean Stemaly is set to perform a free show at Track 5, located inside Hard Rock Tulsa, at 9 p.m. Stemaly has rapidly become a prominent figure in the country music industry. His transition from a heavy equipment operator to a Nashville-based artist reflects a distinct blend of country and rock influences, drawing inspiration from industry legends like Brooks & Dunn, Waylon Jennings, Van Halen and more. Learn more at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com or by calling 918-384-ROCK. The Hard Rock Live box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
December 15 & 16
Deana Carter is putting on a show at SEVEN Bar located inside Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs on Friday, Dec. 15, at 9 p.m. and Lee Creek Tavern located in Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 9 p.m. The shows are free to the public ages 21 and up. Deana Carter is the renowned artist behind her debut album, “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” and the mega hits “Strawberry Wine” and “How Do I Get There.” For more information on Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs, call 800-754-4111 or visit www.cherokeecasino.com/west-siloam-springs. For more information on Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, call 800-256-2338 or visit www.cherokeecasino.com/roland.
December 16
Cherokee Nation citizen and acclaimed mezzo-soprano singer Barbara McAlister will highlight her latest set of youth vocal students at a recital beginning at 2 p.m. at Sequoyah Chapel in Tahlequah.
December 22 & 25
Cherokee Nation's W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex, satellite offices and health centers will be closed to observe Christmas. Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital urgent care and emergency department and other emergency services will remain open.
December 28
The Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center in Stilwell will be holding a breastfeeding class for pregnant and new mothers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This class, which is free and open to the public, will review the benefits of breastfeeding and techniques for new mothers. The Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center is located at 471688 Hwy. 51 in Stilwell, Okla. Snacks will be provided. For questions, please contact Bailey Waldrop at 918-696-8846.
Ongoing
Explore the “Bill Rabbit: Variations on a Rainbow” exhibit at the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita, Okla. Named a Cherokee National Treasure for Painting in 2011, the late Bill Rabbit was renowned for his works depicting Cherokee history and culture. This exhibit looks at such works while exploring art from throughout his career, including Southwest-inspired jewelry, pottery, sculpture and stone carving. It also examines Rabbit’s experimentation with paint, technique and color throughout his life. The exhibit, which runs through May 12, 2024, includes some 40 works loaned by his daughter — artist and Cherokee National Treasure Traci Rabbit — from her personal collection. The Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center is located at 953 E. Illinois Ave. in Vinita. For more information, email info@visitcherokee.com, call 877-779-6977 or go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.
The Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah presents “Cherokee Delegate: An Unalterable Promise.” Know the history behind Cherokee Nation’s pivotal call to Congress to seat its delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. The exhibit, which runs through June 1, 2024, looks at a story hundreds of years in the making. Visitors will learn about the treaties between the Cherokee Nation and the United States of America – including the 1835 Treaty of New Echota – at the foundation of this right. The exhibit also discusses how this role is unlike past Cherokee diplomatic representatives, and it looks at the appointment of Cherokee Nation Delegate to Congress Kim Teehee. Admission to the museum is free and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Cherokee National History Museum is located at 101 S. Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah. For more information, email info@visitcherokee.com, call 877-779-6977 or go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.
The Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose presents “Noel Grayson: A Steward of Tradition.” Named a Cherokee National Treasure for bow making and flintknapping in 1998, Noel Grayson has skillfully crafted hunting bows, arrows and stone tools for much of his life. Noel continues this legacy of Cherokee tradition passed down to him as a child and later refined through working with masterful elders. View Noel’s handmade works, including a carved hunting bow, rivercane arrows, flintknapping tools and other Cherokee traditional arts in this exhibit on display now through Jan. 6, 2024. Admission to the museum is free and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Saline Courthouse Museum is located at 55870 S. 490 Road in Rose, Okla. For more information, email info@visitcherokee.com, call 877-779-6977 or go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.
