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"(L to R) Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, Ken Purdy, mayor of Tahlequah and Dr. Don Betz, president of Northeastern State University joined together today to formally dedicate a Cherokee Female Seminary Exhibit in the lobby of Seminary Hall on the Northeastern State University campus." Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chad Smith, Northeastern State University President Dr. Betz and Tahlequah Mayor Ken Purdy today formally dedicated the recently unveiled Cherokee Female Seminary Exhibit at Northeastern State University in the lobby of Seminary Hall,Northeastern State University Campus. “Cherokee Nation created the Cherokee Female Seminary Exhibit to establish a visual memoir of the commitment to education that the Cherokee Nation has always held,” said Smith. “Now, more than 120 years from its opening, the hallowed grounds and walls of the Cherokee Female Seminary boldly surround us; thriving with students and sharing all facets of academia.” A Cherokee Nation language course is currently taught two floors up from the exhibit, which signifies the journey endured and commitment to education that the Cherokee people embrace. The Cherokee Nation language courses, taught as a part of the American Indian Studies Major B.A program at Northeastern State University, are the only such curriculum in the United States. “Equally important to the Cherokee Nation is the strong partnership with Northeastern State University and the value that is placed on education. This exhibit is one of the many examples of how Northeastern State University and the Cherokee Nation continue to reinforce its shared goal of academic and community development,” added Smith. The $20,000 museum-quality display was designed and produced by Minnesota-based Blue Rhino Studio, which specializes in custom sculptural and painted elements for the museum, retail and tradeshow industries. Previous clients include the American Museum of Natural History and the National Parks The Cherokee Female Seminary Exhibit at Northeastern State University is the first in a series of projects that will recognize the Cherokee Nation’s history, culture and heritage as presented by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism program. Other projects now underway include the recent recognition and dedication of the Cherokee Hills Byway, the restoration of the Cherokee National Supreme Court building and the restoration of Ross Cemetery.

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