Sallisaw Launches Culture and Community Initiative with Support from Cherokee Nation

Thursday, October 23, 2025— The Sallisaw Culture and Community Initiative (SCCI) took center stage this week at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce monthly membership meeting, where Chairman Tom Stites served as the keynote speaker to introduce the program’s mission and future plans.

Addressing why Sallisaw needs another community organization, Stites said, “We’re going to miss some real blessings if we don’t align ourselves with the programs that the Cherokee Nation has been implementing across all 14 counties. This is an opportunity to celebrate our culture while growing together as a community.”

The SCCI mission statement reflects this vision:

“The Sallisaw Culture and Community Initiative is rooted in honoring the long-lasting legacy of the Cherokee Nation while embracing the unique spirit of the Sallisaw area. Our mission is to celebrate and preserve Cherokee traditions by weaving them into the fabric of our local culture through community events, educational programs, and intergenerational storytelling. We’re committed to cultivating pride, connection, and cultural understanding in the Sallisaw area, where tradition and community walk together.”

Stites explained that the initiative will help Sallisaw catch up with neighboring communities such as Gore, Marble City, Muldrow, Vian, and Belfonte, where similar Cherokee Nation-supported projects are already underway.

“These buildings are more than just physical structures,” Stites said. “They provide spaces for Cherokee language, heritage, arts, and community traditions, while offering health, recreation, and social services. They also bring meaningful resources to areas that are often underserved and create opportunities for elders, youth, families, and community stakeholders to connect.”

The SCCI will also allow Sallisaw to qualify for upcoming grants, potentially bringing new programs and benefits to the area.

The initiative represents a collaborative effort to celebrate Cherokee heritage, strengthen local communities, and create opportunities for cultural, educational, and social engagement throughout Sallisaw.

Lindsie Dyer, Staff Writer

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