At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - 777 W Cherokee St, Catoosa, OK 74015
8:00 - 9:00am - Registration & Breakfast
9:00 - 9:45am - Opening Plenary: Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr & Deputy Chief Bryan Warner along with a Performance from The Cherokee Youth Choir
9:45 - 10:45am - Keynote Address Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan
11:15 - 12:15pm - Concurrent Session Block I
12:30 - 1:30pm - Lunch - Session with Cherokee Nation Communications
2:00 - 3:00pm - Concurrent Session Block II
3:15 - 4:15pm - Concurrent Session Block III
4:30 - 5:30pm - Concurrent Session Block IV
5:30 - 6:30pm - Dinner
6:30 - 7:30pm - Community Networking
6:00 - 7:00am - Wellness Session - Zumba
8:00 - 9:00am - Registration & Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00am - Q&A: Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr & Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan & Executive Director of Community & Cultural Outreach Savannah Smith
10:30 - 11:30am - Concurrent Session Block I
12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch - Youth Panel
1:15 - 2:15pm - Concurrent Session Block II
2:30 - 3:30pm - Concurrent Session Block III
3:45 - 4:45pm - Concurrent Session Block IV
6:30pm - 22nd Annual CCO Awards Banquet
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Session Block I
Tools & Weapons of The Cherokee with Danny McCarter
Room: Deer 1 & 2
Description: This session will explore tools and weapons traditionally used by the Cherokee people. Participants will gain insight on aspects such as craftsmanship, cultural significance, and historical usage.
How our Legacy can bridge any generational and cultural eras with Charles Twist
Room: Sequoyah 1
Description: Presented by Spiritual Advisor Charles Twist learn about how to continue connecting 7 generations
Next Generation Succession Planning with Ian Adair
Room: Sequoyah 2
Description: Small nonprofits face unique challenges that make long-term stability difficult to maintain. This workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders understand that succession planning is a proactive, formal, and systematic process essential for ensuring organizational continuity, protecting critical institutional knowledge, and maintaining the momentum of your mission during times of leadership transition.
Non-Profit Financial Literacy, Tax Filing Priorities with Adam Soltani
Room: Sequoyah 3
Description: The session will explore best practices for financial transparency, board oversight, budgeting, and organizational accountability. Attendees will learn how proper planning and timely tax filings contribute to long-term sustainability.
12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Session Block II
Cherokee Games and their Connection to Cherokee Culture with James Callie
Room: Deer 1 & 2
Description: This session will take a deep dive into the role traditional games played in Cherokee culture. While fun and challenging, they often played important roles and were often used as teaching tools about life. Games also helped participants improve motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination. This presentation will look at all these aspects and more!
Healing Through Truth: The Legacy Of Cherokee Freedmen with Melissa Payne
Room: Sequoyah 1
Description: This Session explores the resilience, enduring contributions, and lived experiences of Cherokee Freedmen within the Cherokee Nation. Centered on healing, the presentation reflects on themes of displacement, identity, survival, and the deep human desire for belonging while honoring the strength of generations who endured hardship, silence, and separation. Through historical reflection, emotional truth, and compassionate dialogue, this presentation invites participants into a deeper understanding of how truth-telling, acknowledgment, and shared humanity can open pathways toward healing, unity, reconciliation, and continued growth within the Cherokee Nation and beyond.
Basic Grant Writing with Bailey Gordon
Room: Sequoyah 2
Description: This session will take a quick dive into the world of grant writing. Grant writing is a daunting task. This workshop will help demystify some of the processes and language involved in a grant submission. The session will provide participants with a broad overview of what to expect when seeking grant opportunities.
Becoming A Strengths Based Leader with Rob Sheehan
Room: Sequoyah 3
Description: Individuals and teams are at their best when each person can use their natural talents in the roles they are given. This session will draw upon cutting edge research from the Gallup Organization on leadership and teamwork to show participants how to organize and motivate team members to do their best. We will review what team members want most from leaders and how leaders can maximize their team performance
3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Concurrent Session Block III
Tools & Weapons of The Cherokee with Danny McCarter
Room: Deer 1 & 2
Description: This session will explore tools and weapons traditionally used by the Cherokee people. Participants will gain insight on aspects such as craftsmanship, cultural significance, and historical usage.
How our Legacy can bridge any generational and cultural eras with Charles Twist
Room: Sequoyah 1
Description: Presented by Spiritual Advisor Charles Twist learn about how to continue connecting 7 generations.
Next Generation Succession Planning with Ian Adair
Room: Sequoyah 2
Description: Small nonprofits face unique challenges that make long-term stability difficult to maintain. This workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders understand that succession planning is a proactive, formal, and systematic process essential for ensuring organizational continuity, protecting critical institutional knowledge, and maintaining the momentum of your mission during times of leadership transition.
Non-Profit Financial Literacy, Tax Filing Priorities with Adam Soltani
Room: Sequoyah 3
Description: The session will explore best practices for financial transparency, board oversight, budgeting, and organizational accountability. Attendees will learn how proper planning and timely tax filings contribute to long-term sustainability.
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Concurrent Session Block IV
Cherokee Games and their Connection to Cherokee Culture with James Callie
Room: Deer 1 & 2
Description: This session will take a deep dive into the role traditional games played in Cherokee culture. While fun and challenging, they often played important roles and were often used as teaching tools about life. Games also helped participants improve motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination. This presentation will look at all these aspects and more!
Healing Through Truth: The Legacy Of Cherokee Freedmen with Melissa Payne
Room: Sequoyah 1
Description: This Session explores the resilience, enduring contributions, and lived experiences of Cherokee Freedmen within the Cherokee Nation. Centered on healing, the presentation reflects on themes of displacement, identity, survival, and the deep human desire for belonging while honoring the strength of generations who endured hardship, silence, and separation. Through historical reflection, emotional truth, and compassionate dialogue, this presentation invites participants into a deeper understanding of how truth-telling, acknowledgment, and shared humanity can open pathways toward healing, unity, reconciliation, and continued growth within the Cherokee Nation and beyond.
Basic Grant Writing with Bailey Gordon
Room: Sequoyah 2
Description: This session will take a quick dive into the world of grant writing. Grant writing is a daunting task. This workshop will help demystify some of the processes and language involved in a grant submission. The session will provide participants with a broad overview of what to expect when seeking grant opportunities.
Becoming A Strengths Based Leader with Rob Sheehan
Room: Sequoyah 3
Description: Individuals and teams are at their best when each person can use their natural talents in the roles they are given. This session will draw upon cutting edge research from the Gallup Organization on leadership and teamwork to show participants how to organize and motivate team members to do their best. We will review what team members want most from leaders and how leaders can maximize their team performance
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