Cherokee Nation to Host Little Cherokee Ambassador Event
The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for the Little Cherokee Ambassador Competition, to be held on Saturday, August 15, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Place Where They Play activity center at Sequoyah Schools. The competition is held in conjunction with the 57th annual Cherokee National Holiday, and the winners will serve as goodwill and cultural ambassadors for the Cherokee Nation.
“The Little Cherokee Ambassador event is for children of Cherokee heritage who want to recognize their history and culture, and express their life ways,” said Mandy Scott, event coordinator for the Cherokee Nation. “The goal is to help build leaders that build our Nation.”
Participants must be between 4 and 12 years of age on or before September 30 and be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. In addition, applicants must submit a copy of their Cherokee Nation citizenship card, a brief biography and the completed application no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Those who have previously been chosen as the lead ambassador for their age groups are not eligible to compete.
Participants will be divided into three separate age groups, 4 – 6 years, 7 – 9 years and 10 – 12 years, and a male and female lead ambassador will be chosen from each group. Evaluations will be done on a point system, based on a series of questions about Cherokee language, history and knowledge, and the sharing of a story about a traditional craft or a family or Cherokee history.
For more information about the Little Cherokee Ambassador Competition or for an application, contact Mandy Scott at (918) 207-3841 or toll-free at (800) 256-0671, ext. 3841.
The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event.