The Cherokee National Youth Choir performs traditional songs in the Cherokee language. The choir is the result of a vision by Principal Chief Chad Smith, who saw it as a way to keep our youth interested in and involved with Cherokee language and culture.

The group is an important symbol to the world at large, demonstrating that Cherokee language and culture continues to thrive in modern society. Founded in 2000, the group has recorded numerous audio CDs. Choir members act as ambassadors, their beautiful and energetic voices uniting to show the strength of the Cherokee Nation and culture more than 160 years after its forced removal from its eastern homelands.

Interest in the Cherokee language has been rekindled among our young people through the success of the choir. Several area schools now use the CDs as a learning tool and other schools are interested in developing curriculum to teach Cherokee language and music. Principal Chief Smith and Deputy Chief Joe Grayson have pledged to make preserving language and culture a priority at the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee National Youth Choir is made up of 40 Cherokee young people from northeastern Oklahoma communities. The choir members are middle and high school youth between grades 6 through 12. The students compete in rigorous auditions every year for a place in the choir. The Cherokee National Youth Choir is funded solely by the Cherokee Nation and is managed by the Cherokee Nation Leadership Group.