Cherokee Nation April calendar of events

April 12 & 13

Job fair: Looking for a career with Cherokee Nation? The tribe’s traveling job fair will be at the Vinita Health Center, 27371 S. 4410 Road in Vinita, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday. Cherokee Nation Career Services and Human Resources will hold this event in the Mobile Training Labs to make it more easily accessible. Open positions include jobs from five categories: health, dental, Housing Authority, Office of the Marshal, and clerical. Individuals are encouraged to dress for success and bring their résumé. For questions or for more information, call Career Services at 918-453-5555.

April 13

The monthly Cherokee Speakers Bureau luncheon will resume and all Cherokee speakers are invited to attend from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Durbin Feeling Language Center cafeteria in Tahlequah. Come speak Cherokee and enjoy food and fellowship! For more information, call the Cherokee Language Department at 918-207-4901.

April 15

Join the Cherokee Nation Wings Program for the Happy Hills 5K beginning at 7 a.m. at the Tahlequah Industry Park, 950 Main Parkway in Tahlequah. The race is free to members of the Wings Program, but is also open to non-members for a fee. For more information or to register, go to CherokeePublicHealth.org or contact Dillon LeMasters at 918-5063007 or dillon-lemasters@cherokee.org.

Pottery demonstration: The Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center will be hosting “Anna’s Legacy: Troy Jackson” from noon to 2 p.m. in Vinita. Cherokee National Treasure Troy Jackson will host a demonstration on contemporary clay pottery, discuss his work as an artist and Anna Mitchell’s influence on his art. Artwork by Jackson will be available for sale. Admission is free to this event. For more information, go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.

Anna’s Legacy — Artist Panel & Closing Reception: Celebrate the enduring legacy of renowned artist and Cherokee National Treasure Anna Mitchell from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center. This discussion, moderated by Cherokee National Treasure and Mitchell’s daughter, Victoria Vazquez, will feature the seven artists who have followed in Mitchell’s footsteps, including Carrie Lind, Crystal Hanna and Tama Roberts, as well as Cherokee National Treasures Bill Glass Jr., Jane Osti, Lisa Rutherford and Troy Jackson. The panel will focus on Mitchell’s revival of the nearly lost art of Cherokee pottery and the impact she’s had in inspiring artists who studied under her or were later taught by her students. Afterward, there will be a short closing reception where light refreshments will be provided. For more information, go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.

April 18-20

The Cherokee Nation is hosting a three-day Families Are Sacred Summit at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. There is no cost to attend this summit, which will help tribal nations and local, state and federal law enforcement and service providers learn best practices that deliver safe, effective services for victims of domestic violence, help increase successful prosecutions, and reduce crime across all tribal reservations. To register or for more information, including the summit schedule and a list of featured speakers, visit www.familiesaresacred.com.

April 20

Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Blood Institute will be holding a blood drive at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. This event is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Tsa-La-Gi Community Room. Donors will receive a reusable “goodnatured” tote bag, one free ticket to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a choice of T-shirt. For more information, call 877-340-8777.

April 21-23

At-Large Gatherings: Cherokee Nation is hosting three meetings across California for at-large Cherokee citizens living in the Golden State. Come out and visit with Cherokee Nation leaders and take part in cultural activities.

• Friday, April 21: Fresno, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Woodward Regional Park, 7775 N. Friant Road

• Saturday, April 22: Bakersfield, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hart Memorial Park, Section #7, 8222 Alfred Harrell Highway

• Sunday, April 23: Suisun City, noon to 4 p.m., at Rush Ranch, 3521 Grizzly Island Road Tribal Registration will be on site at all locations for photo IDs and citizenship applications. Education Services and Cherokee Vote will also be in attendance to assist citizens. For questions regarding these events, call 918-207-4963.

April 22

Cultural class: Learn how to make your very own pair of traditional southeastern pucker toe moccasins! Carrie Grayson, a tradition keeper with the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, will guide each participant as they work and learn how to measure, cut, and sew leather to make a custom pair of pucker toes that they are free to take home. The cost is $25 for the class, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cherokee National Prison Museum in Tahlequah. Learn more and register at https://shop.visitcherokeenation.com/ collections/cultural-classes/products/0422-2023-moccasin-class Cultural class: Learn how to make your very own double- and single-wall basket! Cherokee National Treasure Lena Stick will guide each participant as they work and learn how to weave reed to make a beautiful basket that they are free to take home. The cost is $25 for the class, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita. Learn more and register at https://shop.visitcherokeenation. com/collections/culturalclasses/products/04-22-23-basket-class Saturday Social at Saline: Stop by the Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this first-ever event. The day is packed with entertainment and activities for all, including live fiddle music by Robert and Jerry Bigfeather, art demonstrations, traditional and contemporary games, as well as a food truck. Bring your friends and family to this free event. For more information, go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.

April 25-26

The Cherokee Nation Election Commission will be mailing out absentee ballots for the Cherokee Nation general election, which will take place June 3.

April 28 Red Fern Festival: Join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cherokee National History Museum to learn about traditional Cherokee games and enjoy crafts for the kids to help celebrate the Red Fern Festival. For more information, contact 877-779-6977 or info@visitcherokee.com.