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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Cherokee Nation began its motor vehicle tag program in 2001 and now tags all types of vehicles for its citizens living in Oklahoma. The tags are recognized by both state and federal agencies.

There are more than 450,000 Cherokee Nation citizens.

Cherokee Nation’s citizenship laws are based on legal documentation demonstrating a direct tie to the tribe, with no blood quantum.

Yes. Cherokee Nation citizens hold dual citizenship in the Cherokee Nation and whatever their primary country of residence is. Most Cherokee Nation citizens live in the U.S. although we have citizens around the world.

Cherokee Nation’s programs and services are funded through a number of revenue sources, including dividends from our businesses (including casinos), grants and taxes, such as our motor fuels and vehicle tag programs.

Most Cherokees speak English as their primary language. However, many are also varying degrees of fluency in the Cherokee language. They may also speak other languages, including Spanish.

There are a variety of ways to learn the Cherokee language. We offer live online classes as well as community-based classes. We also operate an immersion Cherokee language school for K through 6th grade. Additionally, there are numerous language resources on our website (see the Language section) and in our Gift Shop.