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Kabila
Scope and content: Name: Eliza Randall Type: Parent Sex: Female Name: M P Randall Type: Parent Sex: Male Name: William P Randall Type: Rejected Age: 46 Sex: Male Degree Indian Blood: 3/8 City of Residence: Fairland

Cherokee Nation

They call themselves ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ (Tsalagihi Ayeli)

Largest federally recognized Cherokee tribe in the United States, based in Oklahoma

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author or not provided, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cherokee Nation is the largest federally recognized Cherokee tribe, headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. With over 466,000 enrolled citizens as of 2024, it spans 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma and is known for its restored reservation, Cherokee language programs, and historic newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix.

Who are the Cherokee Nation?

The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign tribal government and the largest of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States. Its citizens are descended from the historic Cherokee people of the southeastern United States, including those who survived forced removal on the Trail of Tears. The Nation includes descendants of Cherokee Freedmen and the Natchez Nation, and is held together by shared history, citizenship, and cultural programs. The Nation operates its own government, schools, and health services, and maintains a strong focus on language and cultural preservation.

Where do the Cherokee Nation live?

The Cherokee Nation's reservation covers 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma. This area was established as Indian Territory after the forced removal of the Cherokee from their original homelands in the southeastern United States. The land includes rolling hills, forests, and river valleys, with the tribal capital in Tahlequah. The reservation status was reaffirmed in 2021, restoring the Nation's jurisdiction over this region.

What language do the Cherokee Nation speak?

Cherokee is the traditional language of the Nation. The tribe operates Cherokee language immersion schools and publishes materials in Cherokee, including the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. Efforts to revitalize and maintain the language are ongoing, especially after the loss of many first-language speakers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How do the Cherokee Nation live?

Historically, the Cherokee practiced farming and crafts, adapting to new economic opportunities over time. Today, many citizens work in a range of fields, including tribal government, education, health care, and businesses. The Nation supports cultural crafts and operates enterprises that provide jobs and fund services for its citizens.

How is Cherokee Nation society organised?

Membership in the Cherokee Nation is based on descent from an ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls, regardless of blood quantum or race. The Nation includes people of diverse backgrounds, including descendants of Cherokee Freedmen and other southeastern tribes. The government is structured with executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and citizens elect their leaders. Community and family ties remain important, and the Nation maintains programs to support cultural and social life.

Cherokee National Capitol
Cherokee National Capitol. Photo: Caleb Long, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
NSU's Seminary Hall
NSU's Seminary Hall. Photo: Caleb Long, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

What do the Cherokee Nation believe?

The sources do not detail current religious practices, but the Nation is known for its cultural preservation, including language, art, and the historic Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. Traditional ceremonies, music, and crafts remain important aspects of Cherokee identity, and the Nation supports programs to sustain these traditions.

The history of the Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation's history includes forced removal from the Southeast on the Trail of Tears and reestablishment in Indian Territory. After the Civil War, the Nation was promised a permanent homeland in Oklahoma. The U.S. government attempted to dissolve tribal governments in the early 20th century, but the Cherokee Nation survived through reorganization and new constitutions. The Nation has faced internal challenges, such as the 1997 constitutional crisis, and has worked to rebuild and assert its sovereignty, most recently with the restoration of its reservation status.

Cherokee Nation life today

Today, the Cherokee Nation has over 466,000 enrolled citizens, with the largest population in Oklahoma. The Nation operates its own government, schools, and health services, and is active in language revitalization and cultural preservation. The reservation status was reaffirmed in 2021, strengthening the Nation's jurisdiction and self-governance. The Nation continues to face challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing efforts to protect its rights and culture.

Questions people ask about the Cherokee Nation

Where do the Cherokee Nation live?

The Cherokee Nation live in the United States, in the northeastern Oklahoma, United States.

How many Cherokee Nation people are there?

Our sources give the Cherokee Nation population as 466,181 (2024). Counts of peoples vary with who is counted and when.

What language do the Cherokee Nation speak?

The Cherokee Nation speak Cherokee.

How do the Cherokee Nation make a living?

The Cherokee Nation are known for settled farming, towns and wage work and craft and trade. Like most peoples, they combine several ways of making a living, and these have changed over time.

Sources and further reading

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Cherokee Nation themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.

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