Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cherokee Nation Centennial topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cherokee Nation says it is reclaiming its role in Route 66 centennial
Summary
Representatives speaking for the Cherokee Nation said the Route 66 centennial is an opportunity to 'reclaim' the Nation’s role in the roadway’s story and to make Cherokee history an experiential part of celebrations.
An agency official for the Cherokee Nation said the Route 66 centennial is a moment for the Nation to restore its place in the highway’s story and to present that history directly to visitors. "The Cherokee Nation is proudly reclaiming our vital role in this narrative," the official said, adding that the goal is for that history to be "not just acknowledged, but experienced."
Speakers framed the centennial as more than a commemoration of pavement and tourism: they said it should be an occasion for cultural interpretation led by the Nation. A presenter at the event argued that Route 66 "is definitely a story about people" and warned it would be "a tremendous disservice" not to present Native history authentically and by Native people themselves. The remarks linked historical perception, visitor experience, and local-led interpretation as central to centennial planning.
The speakers did not specify a date, venue, or particular projects; funding, programming details, and next procedural steps were not specified in the remarks. The session focused on framing and cultural priorities rather than on formal actions or votes. The Cherokee Nation was named repeatedly; other agencies, grants, or contracts were not mentioned.
