Annual Meeting and Chief’s Picnic 2025
On Sunday, April 27th, the Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach hosted our Annual Meeting and Chief’s Picnic in Fairfield. California has the second largest population of Cherokee Nation citizens outside of Oklahoma: nearly 28,000! We had an outstanding turnout, with at least 831 attendees coming from throughout Northern California. 240 citizens registered for their Cherokee Nation photo ID cards and 45 applied as citizens.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our incredible volunteers from our community, Cherokees of Northern Central Valley, and neighboring Cherokee Society of the Greater Bay Area. These volunteers worked hard throughout the day to serve our community in the spirit of our core value ᎦᏚᎩ gadugi (coming together as one and working to help one another). They tirelessly served their community all day long. And everyone thoroughly enjoyed the traditional hog fry, frybread, potatoes, and beans!
We visited with our Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and First Lady January Hoskin, Secretary of State Shella Bowlin, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, Tribal Councilors Johnny Jack Kidwell and Dr. Julia Coates, Gadugi Corps Director Shawn Crittenden, at-large Councilors Dr. Julia Coates and Johnny Jack Kidwell, Chief of Staff Dr. Corey Bunch, Cherokee Nation department leaders, Melissa Payne, Gadugi Portal, Education, and Public Health, and CCO staff including Savannah Smith, Seli Stewart, Pam Bakke, and Brad Eubanks. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. spoke about the tribe’s work to improve health care access, support education, preserve and grow our culture and language, and increase jobs, infrastructure, and outreach. There were so many resources and great information shared on language, culture, health care, education, and more!
Principal Chief Hoskin bestowed a new Cherokee Honored Elder award to our valued board member and retired registered nurse, Sheila Zangrilli. Principal Chief Hoskin also bestowed Medals of Patriotism to two honored warriors from our community: Adam Lemke and Don Terry. Johann Webber and Amanda Croteau received Outstanding Volunteer Awards from Gadugi Corps for their work. ᏩᏙ ᏂᎦᏓ wado nigad(a), thank you all for your dedication to service in many capacities! You honor us with your service!
We enjoyed flute music by National Treasure Tommy Wildcat, storytelling by National Treasure Robert Lewis, and fun crafts by Pam Bakke and Seli Stewart. Many community members enjoyed collecting new books, t-shirts, hats, and other items. We gave out hundreds of seed packets from our little heirloom garden program that’s growing bigger by the year.
The day was filled with love, joy, and so much laughter. We loved visiting with family and friends, and of course making new Cherokee friends and finding new family. On this day, and every day, we are so proud to be Cherokee! Our tribe and at-large organization are thriving thanks to its wonderful citizens who focus on family, community, and service to each other.
ᏩᏙ wado (thank you) to all and we hope to see everyone again next year!
— Sabrina McKinney
