TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma will host the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma on Friday, August 15, 2014.  The public is invited to attend this historic meeting, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Herb Rozell Ballroom at Northeastern State University.

This is the third Tri-Council meeting in as many years.  The first meeting was hosted by the Eastern Band in July 2012, and it marked the first time in modern history that the three tribes had met officially. Last year’s meeting was hosted by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in Catoosa at the Hard Rock Casino. 

The tribes are the only federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States.  The three tribal councils have been meeting annually to address issues and resolutions that affect all members of the Cherokee tribes.

Past resolutions have included making a unified effort to retain language, traditions and values of the Cherokee people, making an effort to combat certain diseases that affect the Cherokee people, and a resolution supporting the Violence against Women Act, among others.

On Thursday, August 14, the group will have lunch at the Jim Proctor Elder Center and council members and their families will be given tours of the UKB John Hair Cultural Center and Museum and Northeastern State University.  Later that evening, the UKB will host a dinner and activities at the UKB Celebration Grounds.

After the meeting on Friday, the evening will conclude with the Miss Keetoowah Cherokee Pageant.