Inherently Sovereign: Celebrating 75 years

The 75th Annual Keetoowah Celebration will be held October 4th.

Chief Jeff Wacoche gives his address at the 74th Annual Keetoowah Celebration.

By: LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla- The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians invites all tribal members and non-members to its 75th Annual Keetoowah Celebration, held on the first weekend of October.

This year’s theme “Inherently Sovereign” was chosen by the celebration committee members, employees who volunteered with planning the big day. The event is held every year honoring October 3, 1950, when the United Keetoowah Band officially voted to have its constitution and by-laws ratified.

Generations and generations of Keetoowah people have been coming out to this celebration every year. This year the committee wanted it to be special as we are celebrating 75 years. Like previous years the celebration has a full list of activities and events planned for pre-celebration and the day of celebration.

On the evening of September 28, the Jr. Miss and Miss Keetoowah Pageant will take place at The Venue starting at 6p.m. The Keetoowah Golf Tournament will take place at the Pryor Creek Golf Course in Pryor with Seniors (60+) in the morning and the 2-man scramble in the afternoon on October 2. The golf tournament continues as the 4-man scramble will take place on October 3. Sign-ups begin September 1 for the golf tournament.

On October 2, Chief’s Dignitary Dinner will take place with an invite only. This year, the committee added an open mic gospel singing on October 3, beginning at 7p.m. at the celebration pavilion. The chili supper and stomp dance will be on October 3, with supper at 7p.m. and stomp at 9p.m.

All regular activities begin on Saturday, October 4 at the celebration grounds. There will be the annual car show/truck show/bike show, kids fishing derby starting at 8a.m. The annual stickball tournament will begin at 9p.m. The committee also added a fun little activity, turtle races so be sure to start picking up turtles as you see them, this will be at 10a.m. Events following throughout the day are cornstalk shoot, volleyball, marbles, arts & crafts vendors, kid’s activities, chunky, horseshoes and blowguns.

The 11a.m. activities consist of Chief’s address, crowning of the new UKB Ambassadors, tradition keepers and gospel singing. The traditional meal will be served at noon. Cornhole tournament begins at 1p.m. Bingo starts at 2p.m.

There will be a special movie screening going on all day at the museum. The museum will also be hosting a quilt show which will run from October 4-October 31. If you want to learn how to access Dawes Allotment packets and locate those allotments on a map, there will be two presentations located at the UKB Education Building, 10a.m. and 2p.m.

The UKB is looking forward to this year’s celebration, so bring the whole family out and let’s make this one memorable.

For more information, email lgodwin@ukb-nsn.gov.