Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation is sponsoring a writing contest for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Students must write a poem or short story on the topic of “How Does the Story of the Phoenix Bird Apply Today?"

The Cherokee people could relate to the story of the bird and how it rose from the ashes. The Cherokee people were facing such hardships, that they felt they were constantly “facing a fire”, but were also constantly being reborn. It was written that there was only one Phoenix in the world at a time and that each bird lived to be at least 500 years old. The Phoenix would then build a huge, spectacular nest and then set the nest and itself on fire. Out of the ashes of the fire, a new Phoenix would be born.

The first Native American newspaper was named "The Cherokee Phoenix", based on the legend of the mythical bird. When the first editions of the Cherokee Phoenix went to press, its publishers explained how they named the journal:

"We would now commit our feeble efforts to the good will and indulgence of the public", and hoping for that happy period, when all the Indian tribes of America shall arise, Phoenix-like, from the ashes, and when the terms 'Indian depredation', 'war whoops', 'scalping knife', and the like shall become obsolete, and forever be buried deep under ground."

All students participating in the contest must be in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, have a CDIB card, and reside in the fourteen county jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation. Winners will receive cash prizes, first place-$125.00, second place-$50.00, third place-$25.00. Winning entries will be published in the Cherokee Messenger.

Entries must be received at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center no later than December 20, 2001. Entries can be mailed to: Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465, FAXed: 918-458-6172, or e-mailed: lstopp@cherokee.org. For more information contact Lisa Stopp, phone: 918-458-6170.