Cherokee Nation cultural tourism report cites 244 artists and 7,000 visitors; exhibition returns home

Travis Owens, speaking to the Cherokee Nation Culture Committee, said the cultural tourism report covers the first month of the fiscal year and highlighted participation and visitation figures: 'in the month of October, we had more than 244 artists participating' and 'our cultural sites welcome more than 7,000 visitors.' Owens told the committee the We Are Cherokee — Cherokee Freedmen and the Right to Citizenship exhibition has been brought back to the Cherokee Nation Animoca Cultural and Welcome Center.

Owens also provided project updates. He said the Will Rogers Birthplace restoration is "well underway" with construction expected to wrap late next spring and that a caretaker's home is planned for the site. He reported renovations have begun on the former Stilwell PPE facility, supported through the Artist Recovery Act, to convert it into an art center with classrooms, gallery space and art storage. The Cherokee Heritage Center remains in schematic design, he said, at about 50 percent, with a hoped-for groundbreaking next year.

Councilors who spoke during the follow-up noted strong community engagement. Councilor McGaty praised a recent Anna Mitchell holiday market as well attended; Owens credited staff including Donna Tennant and Carrie Landon for organizing events and said the tourism team will coordinate with partners on Route 66 centennial activities and the planned 'music mile.'

The committee did not take formal action on the report; members asked for follow-up details on Route 66 programming and staff said they would provide updates.