NSU and The Cherokee Nation Celebrate the 175th Anniversary

August 28 marks the date for the 175th anniversary of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. Northeastern State Universitys College of Liberal Arts is working with the Cherokee Nation to host a celebratory symposium at the University Center Ballroom of the NSU-Tahlequah campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be several events associated with this holiday. Invocation with the Cherokee Nation Color Guard will begin the days events and will be followed by a morning panel discussing the history of the 1839 Constitution.

Special guest Dr. Miriam Jorgensen will be the keynote speaker during a lunch that will be provided for all who attend. Jorgensen is an author, teacher, researcher, and scholar. She currently works as a lecturer of Executive Education Programs in Native American Leadership for both Harvard University and the University of Arizona. She is also an adjunct professor in Community Development with American Indian Communities for George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.

Jorgensen also co-authored a nonfiction book Structuring Sovereignty: Constitutions of Native Nations. This textbook is a guide for communities engaged in the process of drafting a constitution and for students who are studying the process. The information provided in the text is drawn from research, firsthand experience and a multitude of examples of governing documents. All of the evidence provided in the book demonstrates the many ways that indigenous nations can structure their sovereignty.

The final event of the symposium will be an afternoon panel discussing contemporary tribal constitutions from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Please RSVP with Dr. Diane Hammons at hammonsa@nsuok.edu if interested in attending this event.