San Diego Cherokee Community
San Diego Cherokee Community is a community of Cherokees
dedicated to preserving Cherokee history, culture, heritage,
tradition, and fellowship.
We are a satellite community of the Cherokee Nation created to act as the
official point of contact between the Cherokee Nation and its citizens in the
San Diego County area.
Osiyo!
Osiyo!
ABOUT
The San Diego Cherokee Community is a community of Cherokees dedicated to
preserving Cherokee history, culture, heritage, tradition, and fellowship. We are a
non-political, non-profit Native American organization whose members reside
outside the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation and Bands. We have come
together on the basis of our shared history, heritage, and our interest in the
continuation of and a love for the Cherokee people and Nation. We are a satellite
community of the Cherokee Nation and act as the official point of connection
between the Cherokee Nation and its in the San Diego County area.
As Cherokees “At Large,” valuable traditions and language may have been lost as
we assimilated into our communities. The San Diego Cherokee Community seeks to
reconnect with Cherokee traditions and keep our culture alive and thriving. We
would like to invite you to become a member of our Cherokee community as we
seek to perpetuate Cherokee culture, language & community. Group membership
comes with many opportunities to be of service to the Cherokee people in our
community. We plan on hosting many community activities such as annual picnics
and language/activity workshops.
Follow us on Facebook for updates, photos, and resources.
Annual Chief's Picnic
Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 12-4 p.m.
Admiral Baker Field Picnic Area
2400 Admiral Baker Road San Diego, CA 92120 (map)
Learn more about this event here.
Cherokee Nation's Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. will be in town. Join us for food, fellowship, and
presentations from Cherokee Nation officials. Boxed lunches and drinks provided.
RSVP to reserve your spot!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cherokee History Course
Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 (Map)
Join us for a special 2-day in-person Cherokee History course with Catherine Gray from the Cherokee Nation.
She will provide a two-day overview of Cherokee History. Class will be held from 9am-2pm on Saturday and
for 5 hours on Sunday. Participants are expected to attend both days. Lunch will be be provided.
Native Ways of Knowing Book Clubs and Webinars
Select Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m. PT
Online via Zoom
Flyer: https://bit.ly/2024NWOK-BookClub
Zoom Link: https://sdcoe.zoom.us/j/83270767133
Did you miss a Native Ways of Knowing Book Club?
Access our recorded webinars here: https://bit.ly/NWOK-Recordings-signup
Native Ways of Knowing Grandparents’ Day Breakfast and Books
Live Zoom Author Chat with Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
Saturday, September 7 from 9-11 a.m.
Viejas Tribal Hall, 1 Viejas Grade Road, Alpine CA 91901
Register at: https://bit.ly/Grandparents-Books
It is with great respect and admiration that we extend an invitation to our Native American elders to celebrate
Grandparents’ Day by exploring and celebrating Native American voices and perspectives. We are inviting our Native
American grandparents and elders to a morning full of joy, delicious breakfast treats, and Indigenous authored books.
Our Native Ways of Knowing Breakfast and Books aims to create a space where we can celebrate with literature that
reflects the rich heritage, wisdom, and contemporary experiences of Native American communities. We would be
honored if you could join us for a free breakfast with books. We can’t wait to see you there! RSVP to reserve your spot!
Lunch and Beading Activity
Live Zoom Author Chat with Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
Sunday, September 15 from 12-4 p.m.
American Legion Post 292, La Mesa, CA 91941
Pam Bakke from Cherokee Nation will lead us in crafting our own beaded edged medicine pouches. Lunch provided
promptly at noon, beading begins at 1pm. All materials to craft your own beaded medicine pouch will be provided
by Cherokee Nation.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
San Diego Cherokee Community March Gathering
Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Andrews Lutheran Church
8350 Lake Murray Blvd
San Diego, CA 92119
San Diego Cherokee Community May Gathering
Learn about the History of Cherokee Stickball
Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12-4 p.m.
Admiral Baker Field Picnic Area
2400 Admiral Baker Road San Diego, CA 92120 (map)
Annual Chief's Picnic
Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 12-4 p.m.
Admiral Baker Field Picnic Area
2400 Admiral Baker Road San Diego, CA 92120 (map)
Cherokee Nation's Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. will be in town. Join us for food, fellowship, and
presentations from Cherokee Nation officials. Boxed lunches and drinks provided.
RSVP to reserve your spot!
San Diego Cherokee Community Holiday Gathering
Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: TBD
San Diego Cherokee Community Cherokee Language Classes
September 13-14, 2025
Location: TBD
There will be additional Zoom required Cherokee Language classes in September.
More information coming soon.
CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE INTERACTIVE TIMELINE - https://osiyo.tv/timeline
Explore important moments in Cherokee history, from pre-European contact to the present, with the interactive timeline
below. Pick your century, find an event on the timeline and click to watch short videos, see historic images or read the actual
documents pertaining to each event. We hope you enjoy learning about our unique history. We look forward to creating new
entries on the timeline as the Cherokee Nation continues moving forward into the future.
RESOURCES
Video/Movies/TV
Echo
Prey
Fancy Dance
Reservation Dogs
What If
SDCC Board Members
Staci Block
Ron Bussey
Kathleen Green
Nina Hall
Pam Hightower (Emeritus)
Phil Konstantin
Jack Land
George Lynch
Onita Lynch
Etta Miller
Anthony Munger
Mona Oge (Emeritus)
Phillip Powers (Emeritus)
Katie Walkiewicz
Benetta Wilson
Photo of Board Members at the Spring Picnic on June 9, 2024.
MEMBERSHIP
To join the San Diego Cherokee Community please complete and return this form.
https://bit.ly/SDCC-Membership
If you have questions, please contact SanDiegoCherokeeCom@gmail.com
Mail application and dues to:
San Diego Cherokee Community, 3334 Fosca St. Carlsbad, CA. 92009
San Diego Cherokee Community
The San Diego Cherokee Community is a federal tax exempt 501(C)(3) Not For Profit public charity created to promote and nurture the historic values and culture for
Cherokee Citizens living outside the Cherokee Nation boundaries. Per a letter from the IRS, donations made to the SDCC can be deductible.