Cherokee Nation culture committee hears tourism report: 'Over 62,000' visitors last fiscal year; Heritage Center planning continues

The Cherokee Nation Culture Committee heard a cultural tourism report and community updates during a routine meeting that opened with an invocation and roll call.

Travis Owens, substituting for staffer Molly Jarvis, told the committee that the Nation’s cultural sites welcomed "over 62,000" visitors across the last fiscal year and that the Turkey history course hosted more than 1,000 participants. He said the genealogy program handled roughly 1,300 requests and that arts programs worked with more than 680 artists.

Owens outlined several capital and exhibit projects. He said the public comment phase for planning at the Cherokee Heritage Center has closed and that interpretive planning and exhibit development are continuing. Owens reported the Carlisle Cabin was rehomed to Sequoia's Cabin Museum and restoration work has wrapped up; exhibit installation remains to be completed. He also said restoration of the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Ooliga is ongoing with a targeted spring 2026 opening, after which exhibits will be installed.

Committee members did not ask follow-up questions during the report. The chair thanked Owens and noted several committee members attended the recent SkostiCon event, which Owens said showcased many local artists and community engagement. Owens also said a "We Are Cherokee" exhibit returned to the Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center and that the Louiza Soap National Treasure Exhibit opened at Sling Courthouse.

The meeting included routine business: the committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and tentatively scheduled the next meeting for Monday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. The committee then adjourned.

Note: Attendance and program counts are those reported to the committee by staff during the meeting.