Cherokee Nation accepting 2026 Tribal Youth Council applications

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting 2026 Tribal Youth Council Applications.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council was established in 1989 as a youth leadership development program that focuses on education our young leaders about the Cherokee Nation government structure, history, language and culture. The Tribal Youth Council also performs communityservice projects, provides a voice for youth and develops experience for future tribal leaders.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council consists of 17 members from various tribal districts. The members will serve a one-year term. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24. Youth who are interested can apply via the Gadugi Portal.

New members will be comprised of eight students from the southern half of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, which includes Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah and portions of Muskogee, Wagoner and McIntosh Counties. Seven will be accepted from the northern districts, including Delaware, Mayes, Craig, Nowata, Washington, Ottawa, Rogers and Tulsa Counties. Two at-large members will be chosen from outside the tribe's reservation.

Interested students must submit a profile, answer three essay questions related to Cherokee youth and tribal legislation, submit three letters of recommendation and meet other criteria. A committee will make the selections.

To apply for Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council, students must meet the following eligibility requirements, among others:

• Be a Cherokee Nation citizen;
• Have a permanent address inside the Cherokee Nation's reservation (or outside reservation for the at-large seat);
• Have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, be enrolled in high school, or college/university;
• Be 15-22 years old as of Oct. 24, 2025;
• Applicants selected to serve on the Tribal Youth Council will not be allowed to participate in other Cherokee Nation Youth Ambassador programs simultaneously;

For more information on Tribal Youth Council, contact Heather Fite at 918-506-8738.