Gina Olaya, Cherokee Nation director of Cultural Art Procurement and PlaySmart Program, reviewed the close relationship between Sequoyah County and the Cherokee Nation at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon Wednesday.

She pointed out that Sequoyah County has the third largest population of Cherokees enrolled in the Cherokee Nation, with only Cherokee and Adair Counties respectively having more Cherokee residents.

Olaya reviewed the Trail of Tears, also known as the, The Trail Where They Cried, when the Cherokee were removed from their ancestral homes in the east and marched to eastern Oklahoma, and a third of their number died.

In Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, the Cherokee set up a democratic government, and Sequoyah invented his syllabary.

“Many people don’t know it, but Sequoyah was accused of being a witch because he invented a way to speak without using voice or the hands,” Olaya said, adding that the charge was eventually dropped.

She said Cherokee attractions in Sequoyah County include Sequoyah’s Cabin, northeast of Sallisaw; Tahlonteeskee, the original Cherokee courthouse, near Gore; Dwight Mission, which was a seminary at one time; and two stomp grounds, the Stokes and Red Bird Smith Stomp Grounds, which are both near Vian. In answer to a question from the audience, Olaya explained that the stomp grounds are for sacred ceremonies, and are used by Cherokee or sometimes on families.

In answer to another questions, Olaya explained that some Cherokee last names, translated into English such as Mankiller, Tenkiller, and others, were based on the titles of that person in a village who protected the village, much like a police officer.

Marley Abell, the chamber president, presented Eli Pumpkin, Cherokee Casino Roland marketing manager, with the Chamber Member of the Month Award.

The chamber luncheon meeting was held in the meeting room at the Cherokee Casino in Sallisaw.