Cite as: 53 CNCA § 3

A. The park established by this act shall:

a. Be located on approximately 17 acres of land at approximately 18050 S. Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation Reservation, the description of which is as follows:

The W½ NW¼ NW¼ lying North of US Hwy 62 in Section 21, Township 16 North Range 22 East, and the South 820 feet of the W½ SW¼ SW¼ and all that part of the SE¼ SW¼ SW¼ lying and being north of US Hwy 62 and lying West of the 50' road easement located in the SW¼ of Section 16, Township 16 North, Range 22 East of the Indian Base & Meridian, Cherokee County, State of Oklahoma, containing 19.50 acres more or less.

b. Include elements of Cherokee language, culture and traditions in its design, landscaping, public art, playground and facilities and walking trails, with the entirety of said improvements occupying approximately 10 acres of the total acreage, the balance of which will remain unimproved but well maintained, with said future improvements authorized under the direction of the Secretary of Natural Resources.

c. Include a building for community gatherings.

d. Include a space of sufficient size within the park for the future placement of a statue of former Principal Chief Wilma P. Mankiller.

e. Be named "Principal Chief Wilma P. Mankiller Cherokee Capitol Park" or alternatively "Wilma P. Mankiller Cherokee Capitol Park.”

f. Be a "reserved land" within the meaning of the Cherokee Nation Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act of 2021, LA 21-2006.

B. Consultation with Representatives of Mankiller Family:

a. The Principal Chief shall make reasonable efforts to consult with such representatives of Chief Mankiller's family as he deems appropriate as to the overall design of the park and any depiction of Chief Mankiller at the park, including any statue of Chief Mankiller. Said consultation shall be memorialized in at least one interim and one final report to the Council as to the status of the park.

C. Chief Mankiller Statue:

a. The Principal Chief is authorized to solicit, on behalf of Cherokee Nation, private funds to support the construction of a statue of Chief Mankiller to supplement such funds as may be appropriated by the Council, or to utilize such funding authorized under this Act above that necessary for the construction of the park described herein, subject to future Council appropriations but not subject to further authorization under this act.

Historical Data

LA 23-22, eff. July 11, 2022. Amended LA 15-23, eff. July 10, 2023.