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"Sequoyah statue by Cherokee artist Daniel HorseChief." Tahlequah, OK – A perfect day graced Northeastern State University’s outdoor centennial celebration. More than 500 people soaked up the sunshine while they listened to university and Cherokee Nation leaders extol the rich history of the institution. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith recited the impressive list of classes offered at the time, including Latin, philosophy, geography, logic, arithmetic and more. He spoke of both the past and the future. “In 1906, this (the Female Seminary) was the pride of the Cherokee Nation and when it was lost, it hurt,” said Smith. “Today we ask that Northeastern and the Cherokee Nation to settle for nothing less than the great Cherokee legacy and that is to face adversity, survive, adapt, prosper and excel.” Cherokee Nation citizen and leader Jay Hannah served as master of ceremony at the event. Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross told the story of the Rosebuds, the name the students gave themselves. Elder and oral historian Benny Smith blessed the statue created by Cherokee artist Daniel HorseChief. The event unveiled HorseChief’s bronze statue of Sequoyah. The statue stands on the lawn in front of Seminary Hall atop a large seven-pointed star design imbedded in the center of the Centennial Plaza. The statue is the central feature on a plaza surrounded by pillars that are capped with icons representing the seven clans of the Cherokee. The clan designs were the result of a collaboration between Benny Smith and Cherokee Nation graphic designer Daniel Mink. The designs represent the ancient clans named for the admired attributes of animal groups as well as the contemporary clan names. The Cherokees built the first educational institution west of the Mississippi not long after they moved to then Indian Territory, beginning construction on the Cherokee National Female Seminary in 1847 and opening its doors to students in 1851. More than 3,000 young Cherokee women attended the Seminary during its 50 year span of operation. For more information about the Centennial Plaza at Northeastern State University, visit NSU-OK

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org