ᎢᏳᏓᎵᎭ ᎠᏛᏛᏅ ᏗᏛᏛᎲᏍᎩ

Frequently Asked Questions

ᏂᎪᎯᎸᏊ ᏗᏛᏛᎲᏍᎩ

Common Questions

Common Questions

Where is the Cherokee Nation?

The Cherokee Nation Reservation is located in a 7,000-square mile radius of northeastern Oklahoma that encompasses all or parts of 14 counties.

Is Cherokee Nation a reservation?

The Cherokee Nation is a reservation and was never disestablished by Congress as reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in July 2020 in McGirt v Oklahoma and subsequent Hogner decision.

What is the Cherokee Nation?

The Cherokee Nation is a tribal government representing and serving the citizens of the tribe.

Who can become a Cherokee Nation citizen?

Cherokee Nation citizenship requires having at least one direct ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls of the Cherokee Nation, a federal census compiled in the years 1898-1906.

What is the process for selecting the Principal Chief?

Principal Chief is an elected position, voted on by the registered voters of the Cherokee Nation every four years.

What is the role of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service?

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service is a full-fledged, certified law enforcement agency with jurisdiction throughout the Cherokee Nation.  The Marshal Service is cross-deputized with 90 municipal, county, state and federal agencies. With more than 30 deputy marshals, the agency focuses on prevention and justice in matters concerning criminal activities in Cherokee communities.

Is there more than one Cherokee tribe?

There are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes, with Cherokee Nation being the largest. The other tribes include the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.