TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Just 12 years after forced removal, Principal Chief John Ross and the Cherokee National Council made a powerful declaration about the Nation’s future with the opening of the Cherokee Male and Female Seminaries on May 7, 1851, cementing a lasting commitment to education.
That legacy is being celebrated and shared in a new documentary from Cherokee Film Productions, “The Seminarians: Sovereignty Through Education.”
“This documentary demonstrates the tenacious resilience of the Cherokee people and our relentless pursuit to better ourselves, our communities and our tribe,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “In the most difficult of times, the Seminarians chose to set their sights on the future and believed in education as a path forward. The impact they had on the development of our Nation is undeniable then and now.”
A free public screening will be offered on Thursday, May 7, at 2 p.m. in the Webb Auditorium at Northeastern State University, coinciding with the Annual Homecoming of the Seminarian Descendants.
“The Cherokee Seminaries represent more than schools. They reflect a foundational commitment to education, identity and self-governance that continues to shape our people,” said Kristen Snell-Thomas, president of NSU Descendants of Cherokee Seminarians Association. “This documentary helps preserve those stories and ensures future generations understand the role the Seminarians played in strengthening Cherokee Nation.”
A panel discussion will follow the screening. Those who are unable to attend the screening can watch the documentary on Cherokee Nation’s YouTube page following the event.
“This is an incredible, inspiring and true story that spans several generations,” said Jen Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film. “We are honored to help raise awareness about the Seminarians and their descendants, who continue to ensure that what was built in the wake of hardship continues to guide us today.”