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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Thanksgiving story children are taught in schools usually involves pilgrims, Indians and a whole lot of food. This year, the Cherokee Nation is helping teach children across northeastern Oklahoma what Thanksgiving means to Cherokees.

The Cherokee Nation has distributed a Cherokee Thanksgiving curriculum to more than 100 elementary schools in northeastern Oklahoma. The curriculum includes a video and a workbook for children to study how Indians traditionally give thanks.

"It is important for Indian and non-Indian children alike to understand a little bit about Cherokee culture", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “At a time when the dominant culture is taking about giving thanks, this is a perfect opportunity to educate kids about how Cherokees have given thanks for hundreds of years."

In the Cherokee Thanksgiving video, two Indian boys come home from school after learning about Thanksgiving. The boys’ mother and grandfather teach them about traditional ways, explaining things in simple terms that kids can relate to.

"Our people don’t ask the Creator for more, we give thanks for what we have already received", said Hastings Shade, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Elementary schools have given the video and curriculum rave reviews. "I started on it last week", said Kathy Morris, a sixth-grade teacher at Briggs Elementary in Cherokee County. “But next year I'll start it a lot sooner. The kids stay focused on the material. They like learning about Indian culture and it makes it easier to understand all different kinds of cultures, which is important right now."

For more information on the Cherokee Thanksgiving curriculum, please call the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, phone: 918-458-6170.