"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Free Historical Field Trips

A guide at the Ancient Village at the Cherokee Heritage Center at Park Hill demonstrates the art of making a traditional blowgun dart. Blowgun shooting will be one of the interactive stops on the free educational tours Cherokee Nation's cultural tourism department will be offering to area students.

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Cherokee Nation’s cultural tourism department is reaching out to young minds by providing free educational tours to cultural and historical sites that are significant to Cherokee culture. The tours, available to 3rd – 5th graders, are designed to promote priority academic student skills (P.A.S.S.) in various general subjects, while also providing an authentic look into Cherokee history and stories.

“It is important to educate our youth about the triumphs and hardships that help make the Cherokee people who we are today,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We have many historical sites that are more than 150 years old, long before Oklahoma became a state. The students can actually participate and witness authentic Cherokee customs and traditions at the ancient village located at the Cherokee Heritage Center.”

While experiencing Cherokee culture through an interactive lens, students will be able to visit various historical sites around the Tahlequah area. Site visits include blowgun shooting at the Cherokee Heritage Center, storytelling at the Murrell Home and a scavenger hunt held on the historic Capitol Square of the Cherokee Nation. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an authentic Cherokee art project where they can craft their own take-home surprise.

Participants will also receive a tour activity workbook which encourages children to ask questions about important things they hear or see during the tour. The tour and accompanying materials comes at no cost to participating schools.

“Historically and presently, education is one of our core passions as Cherokee people and it is our duty to share that passion,” said Talisha Nichols, senior manager of Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism. “We feel like it is important that children can visit the Cherokee Nation and understand more about Cherokee people. As for teachers, these tours are the total package – we offer free snacks, drinks, lunch and admission to all historical sites.”

Tours are offered during the 2008-09 school year. For more information or to book a school tour group, please contact Heather Williams; phone: 918-384-7887 or send e-mail to: heather.williams@cnent.com. For more information about Cherokee Nation cultural tourism, visit Cherokee Tourism, OK.