On July 12, the 186th anniversary of the Act of Union, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner announced the addition of the Tahlequah campground site where this pivotal document was signed onto the Cherokee Nation’s Historic Registry of important places.

The Act of Union is when leaders of both governments, the Western or “Old Settlers” and Eastern Cherokees forcibly removed, committed to organize as a single Cherokee Nation.

Within two months of the Act of Union, the Cherokee people adopted a new Constitution and preserved the rights and treaty obligations as exclusive tribal jurisdiction over the 7,000 square mile Cherokee Nation Reservation.

In conjunction with the anniversary commemoration, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner announced the Cherokee Nation’s intent to designate the Illinois Campground on the tribe’s Registry of Historic Places as the 17th site.

Already listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Illinois Campground holds exceptional historical significance for the Cherokee people and the nation at large.

“This site in Tahlequah serves as both a solemn reminder of our ancestors resolve during a critical chapter of our history and a symbol of the strength and unity of the Cherokee people,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “It was at this site that the successful process of reunification, once and for all, began. By placing it on the Cherokee Nation Historic Registry, we not only honor the legacy but ensure future generations remain connected to this key moment in our story.”

The Illinois Campground, on Powell Road, is revered as serving as the disbandment site of the very last Trail of Tears detachment, which arrived on March 18, 1839.

Among those in the final group was Chief John Ross, marking a solemn closure to the forced removals that forever shaped Cherokee history.

Just four months later, the Illinois Campground hosted the Cherokee National Convention in July 1839.

During this weekslong assembly, leaders and citizens gathered in deliberation as a newly reunited people. Their resolve culminated in the declaration and signing of the Act of Union on July 12, 1839, thus formalizing the singular Cherokee Nation as “one body politic” under the Cherokee Nation.

“The Act of Union will always hold a significant place in the history of the Cherokee Nation. It not only symbolized the end of our forced removal, but it was crucial to enable the Cherokee Nation to become a single committed government,” said Jack Baker, President of the National Trail of Tears Association and former Council of the Cherokee Nation member. “It is quite significant that the Cherokee Nation today is taking steps to recognize and celebrate the site where the Act of Union was signed.”

The union marked the genesis of the governmental structure that steadfastly guides the Cherokee Nation to this day.

The Act of Union itself, signed at this historic site, solidified the unification of the Cherokee people.

The monumental agreement established the foundation for the modern governance of the Cherokee Nation, nurturing resilience and unity in the face of profound adversity.

The Act of Union strengthened the tribe’s foundation and stands as one of the most significant milestones in Cherokee history.

Deputy Chief Bryan Warner emphasized the educational and cultural value of preserving these historic sites.

“This designation affirms our commitment to safeguarding our heritage and sharing these stories of resilience and unity with our citizens, our youth, and the rest of the world,” Deputy Warner said. “This preservation is not just an acknowledgment of the past but a call to carry forward the values of strength, unity, and sovereignty.”

The Cherokee Nation Historic Registry was established in 2019 through the Cherokee Nation Registry of Historic Places Act, enacted by the Council under the leadership of Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.

Created to recognize and protect sites of cultural and historical importance within the tribe’s jurisdiction, the Registry ensures longterm protection and educational resources for these vital locations. The designations of the Act of Union signing site, the Illinois Campground, represent continued progress in the Nation’s ongoing efforts to preserve its rich heritage and strengthen the connection between citizens and their shared history.