Cherokees Host First 4-H Day

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker signed a proclamation declaring July 11 as Cherokee Nation 4-H Day and visited with 4-Hers from throughout the area.

The Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah hosted its first 4-H Day recently, where 50 area students in the organization spent the day learning about the nation’s largest American Indian tribe.

Students and teachers from Sequoyah, Adair, Cherokee, Mayes, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties visited with Cherokee Nation elected officials and program leaders. They toured the Cherokee Heritage Center and Cherokee Nation Veterans Center. Principal Chief Bill John Baker also signed a proclamation declaring July 11 as Cherokee Nation 4-H Day.

“Hosting the first Cherokee Nation 4-H Day provides some of our tribal youth the opportunity to learn about the culture, heritage, government and traditions of the Cherokee Nation,” Chief Baker said. “Many of these 4-H members are already influential within their respective communities as they make tangible, significant changes to their clubs, communities, tribe and state.”

More than 150,000 youth from all 77 Oklahoma counties are involved in a 4-H program, according to the organization. Within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdiction, there are more than 100 4-H clubs helping thousands of students learn life skills they need in order to be leaders of tomorrow.

Wagoner County 4-H Educator Ethan Green, a Cherokee Nation citizen, worked with Chief Baker’s office to organize the inaugural event.

“It’s important for our 4-H students to learn about the Cherokee Nation and also meet the leaders of our tribe,” Green said. “You never know what can happen. Visiting and learning about the tribe today could lead to a career opportunity in the future at the Cherokee Nation.”

For more information on the state’s 4-H program, visit http://4h.okstate.edu/. 

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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