The 73rd Cherokee National Holiday theme is “Gadugi – Unity Through Generations” ᎦᏚᎩ ᏌᏊ ᎢᏳᎾᎵᏍᏔᏅ ᎤᏂᎦᏛᎴᏒ ᎤᎾᏓᏁᏟᏴᏒᏒᎯ.
In the center of this year’s Holiday artwork, two hands intertwined symbolize working together for a common good, “gadugi,” which is rooted in the Cherokee language and who Cherokees are as a collectivist society. The Cherokee Nation is committed to protecting its inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting Cherokee culture, language and values and improving the quality of life for the next seven generations of Cherokee Nation citizens.
Surrounding the hands are several Southeastern motifs that symbolize water and wind in a counterclockwise fashion to represent the direction of a stomp dance at ceremonial grounds. To reinforce the “gadugi” theme, the artist, Cherokee National Treasure Dan Mink, incorporated three interlocking swirls that symbolize two parties coming together, and the resulting action. It also represents the past, present and future as Cherokee people. Seven swirls surround the center of the design representing the seven Cherokee clans.
The crosshatch pattern represents the Cherokee citizen population in the 14-county Cherokee Nation Reservation and around the world. On the outer border of the poster are 73 interlocking hands representing the 73rd Cherokee National Holiday.
The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which re-established the tribe’s government in Indian Territory after forced removal from the Cherokees’ original homelands in the Southeast.
Unisex, 100% Cotton.