More than 100,000 turn out for Cherokee National Holiday

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) – A crowd estimated at more than 100,000 turned out in Tahlequah for the 63rd Cherokee National Holiday.

The Tulsa World reports the three-day event includes a parade, arts and crafts, a powwow and a tribal film festival.

Cherokee Principal Chief Bill John Baker delivered the State of the Nation Address on Saturday in which he touted success during the past four years.

Baker said an addition is planned at W.W. Hastings Hospital and he announced a partnership with the OSU Medical School to recruit, train and hire doctors who are Cherokee. Baker also said the tribe has a new health center in Ochelata and one planned in Jay.

The tribe also reached agreement with the state of Oklahoma to expand tribal hunting and fishing rights to all 77 counties in the state.