TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation is hosting a community luncheon in Central Florida in early February for its nearly 2,000 Cherokee Nation citizens living in the Sunshine State.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. and other tribal leaders will attend the gathering in Gainesville on Feb. 6 and Orlando on Feb. 7.

With about 1,900 Cherokee Nation citizens living in Florida, it’s important to meet with those Cherokees about tribal issues and programs. It’s also important to offer the tribal citizens photo ID citizenship cards, Chief Baker said.

The upgraded photo ID citizenship cards will be issued to those Cherokee Nation citizens in Florida attending the community meeting and luncheon.

“Producing a government-issued, photo ID helps to instill a greater sense of pride in our people, and we’re happy to bring this service to our Cherokees living outside of Oklahoma,” Chief Baker said. “I’ve presented my photo tribal citizenship card at several major airports, and even to the U.S. Secret Service, and experienced no problems whatsoever.”

Since October 2012, Cherokee Nation’s registration department has issued more than 69,000 of the upgraded citizenship “blue cards” in Oklahoma and 12 other states, as well as Washington, D.C.

The tribe’s upgraded photo ID citizenship cards are similar in appearance to a driver’s license. It features the citizen’s Cherokee Nation registration number, official registrar signature, citizen’s photo and signature, Principal Chief’s signature, and a distinctive Cherokee Nation hologram seal for validation. Citizens can opt for their official Bureau of Indian Affairs Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) on the back of the card.

Cultural presentations and information about tribal programs will also be available.

For more information, contact Tammy Keeter-Miller at 918-207-4950 or the Cherokee Nation registration department at 918-458-6980 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The community luncheons will be held at the following times and locations:

Gainesville, Florida


Saturday, Feb. 6
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


Thelma Boltin Center


516 NE 2nd Ave.

Orlando, Florida


Sunday, Feb. 7
1 to 4 p.m.


VFW Post 428

7
3500S Goldenrod Road