Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council

09/09/2026

What an amazing weekend at the 74th Cherokee National Holiday!

Our Tribal Youth Council stayed busy volunteering at the Inter-Tribal Powwow, parade, State of the Nation, and quilt show! We loved getting to help out, serve our community and be part of so many special moments!

This weekend was a great reminder of what is all about coming together, helping each other and giving back!

08/21/2026

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council is proud to highlight Rex Chancellor, a District 9 Tribal Youth Counselor and recent 2026 graduate of Salina High School!

This fall, Rex plans to attend Northeastern State University, where he will major in Political Science with a minor in Cherokee Cultural Studies.

One of Rex’s favorite memories with TYC has been seeing his growth throughout his term. From not knowing anyone at the first meeting to now being able to call fellow council members his friends, Rex has found a strong sense of community through the Tribal Youth Council.

His favorite event was the proclamation signing ceremony for Trisomy/Down Syndrome Awareness.

A fun fact about Rex: his copper carving artwork was selected to be displayed at the Amo Health Center in Salina, where it is still proudly displayed today!

Congratulations, Rex, and thank you for your leadership, service and dedication to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council!

08/19/2026

Highlighting Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Councilor Braden Cusick!

Braden serves as the District 13 representative and is a rising senior at Verdigris High School. At Verdigris, he is involved in JOM, Student Council, and Choir.

One of Braden’s favorite Tribal Youth Council memories was attending the 2026 United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.(UNITY) Conference in Oklahoma City. “Meeting so many tribal youth from around the world was an incredible experience. Also hearing our leader, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. , give an inspiring speech to nearly 3,000 young Indigenous leaders was a special moment. I have always been proud of my Cherokee heritage and being part of TYC and getting to know my fellow Tribal Youth Councilors and leader Heather was something I’ll always cherish.”

Braden also enjoyed participating in the pickleball social and talent night. He attended the Collinsville Community Meeting and the Pocahontas Club’s Annual Old Fashioned Picnic in Claremore, where he enjoyed connecting with community members.

A fun fact about Braden: His middle name is Sequoyah, so he always knows how to spell it!

Wado, Braden, for your commitment to representing District 13!

07/30/2026

Earlier this month, Cherokee Nation youth proudly represented our tribe at the 50th United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) Conference in Oklahoma City!

From leadership sessions and cultural activities to performances and connecting with Indigenous youth from across the country, our youth celebrated their culture, shared their voices, and built lasting connections.

Special shout out to our fellow CNTYC representatives Addison and Alyssa on being selected to be featured in the fashion show! Osda!

07/30/2026

Highlighting Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Councilor Lorelai Pilcher!

Lorelai serves as the District 8 representative and is a rising senior at Kansas High School. Her favorite Tribal Youth Council memory is attending the United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) Conference, where she built lasting friendships, connected with Indigenous youth from across the country, and grew even closer with her fellow Tribal Youth Council members.

When asked about her favorite event this year, Lorelai chose the Cherokee Nation Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Cherokee Nation First Lady January Hoskin "It was such a fun event, and it was incredible to see the community come together,” Lorelai said. “I got to interact with so many people, but I may have been in disguise!” 👀🐰🧺

A fun fact about Lorelai: She proudly represents District 8 alongside her brother, Landon!

Wado, Lorelai, for your dedication to serving the Cherokee Nation and your fellow youth! 💙

07/09/2026

Cherokee Nation’s 2026 Know Your Nation Summit for our Cherokee youth kicked off this morning with remarks by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.!

The summit, which was attended by 150 Cherokee students from across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, was held at the Chota Center in Tahlequah and was hosted by the Tribal Youth Council, Cherokee Nation Public Health, Cherokee Nation Education Services and Government Relations.

Following Chief Hoskin’s keynote remarks, he and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner joined Tribal Youth Council President Alexis Marsh for a panel discussion, along with Chief of Staff Dr. Corey Bunch, Delegate to Congress Kim Teehee, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan and District 2 Councilor Dr. Candessa Tehee.

07/08/2026

Tribal Youth Council President Alexis Marsh takes us around today’s Know Your Nation Summit, which is organized for our Cherokee youth across the reservation!

07/03/2026

05/18/2026

This weekend, Cherokee Nation Delegate to Congress Kimberly Teehee met with our 2026 Tribal Youth Councilors and Remember the Removal Bike Riders! As a past member of the Tribal Youth Council, Delegate Teehee fielded questions and delivered a message of hope, inspiration, and community to the next generation of Cherokee leaders.

As the first-ever Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council under former President Barack Obama, and through work as Senior Advisor to the U.S. House of Representatives Native American Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Dale Kildee, Delegate Teehee has led, advised and had a lasting impact on numerous tribal initiatives.

Now, Delegate Teehee continues to represent our nation in Washington, D.C., as the first Cherokee Nation Delegate to Congress, appointed in 2019 by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., a position in the House of Representatives guaranteed within the Treaty of New Echota. TYC and RTR members all wore their “Seat the Delegate: From Promise to Reality” shirts as a call for the full recognition of our treaty rights.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to our Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council graduates!! 🎓✨

High School graduates include Easton Graalfs, Hulbert Public Schools; Carlee Scott, Fort Gibson Public Schools; AP Anderson, Thaden School; and Rayleigh Terrill, Vian Public Schools. Our college grad is Jenna Hamlin, Northeastern State University.