Cherokee Nation to Host Traditional Native Games Competition in Stilwell

Traditional Native Games qualifiers participate in the 2018 cornstalk shoot championship hosted at One Fire Field in Tahlequah.

Published April 28, 2019

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation will host its 14th annual Traditional Native Games competition Saturday, May 4, at Maryetta Public School in Stilwell.

Competitions include a cornstalk shoot, Cherokee marbles and horseshoes, which all start at 10 a.m., with the hatchet throw and blowgun starting at 11 a.m. and chunkey at 12 p.m. Registration is held 30 minutes before the start time of each game.

“The Traditional Native Games are a fantastic opportunity to experience our cultural games. The games are open to the public and are no cost to the competitor or spectator, so we invite all to come enjoy a fantastic day of competition and fellowship,” Traditional Games Director Bayly Wright said.

The top three finishers in each game at qualifying events receive a T-shirt and an invitation to compete in the Traditional Native Games Championship in August. The Cherokee Nation will host additional qualifying events in Ochelata and Locust Grove this spring and summer.

For more information on game times and information, contact the individual game coordinators. Coordinators for the Traditional Native Games competitions:

• Cornstalk shoot: Brian Jackson, 918-316-4243
• Cherokee marbles: Pam Bakke, 918-207-6562
• Chunkey: Tonya Wapskineh, 918-399-8474
• Horseshoes: Lisa Cookson, 918-458-1339
• Blow gun: Jason Kingfisher, 918-316-0030
• Hatchet-throwing: Danny McCarter, 918-871-0085

For more information, contact Bayly Wright at 918-822-2427 or bayly-wright@cherokee.org.