Cherokee tribal members were urged Saturday to do things in their personal and tribal lives today so that their children will be able to help themselves.

Principal Chief Chad Smith called on Cherokees to plant the seed corn so the tribe can remain as vibrant and strong as it is today. Visitors to the 56th annual Cherokee National Holiday were given a small bag of Cherokee White Eagle corn and challenged to take it home and plant it in a special place.

“Bring back an ear of White Eagle corn next year and lay it on this podium,” Smith said. “Our future has never been brighter.”

The chief acknowledged the hard work of all branches of tribal government and spoke of being a happy, healthy group of people. He said citizens need to save seed corn to plant for next year’s crop.

“We need to do this so our children can help themselves,” he said.

Smith proudly pointed out the Cherokee Nation is less dependent on money from the federal government than it was in years past. Seventy percent of tribal gaming revenues went to the creation of new jobs so Cherokee young people can stay in the Cherokee Nation.

“We’re a family of families,” he said of the tribe’s togetherness. “We’re a community of communities.”

Smith said Cherokee tribal government employs 6,500 people, and he hopes to be able to announce that number has grown to 8,000 people by next year’s State of the Nation address.

“That’s 5,000 more than it was eight years ago,” he said.

In another example of the tribe’s commitment to the communities he pointed out that Cherokee Nation has helped build community centers across the tribal boundaries. He also said $2.8 million from tribal car tag sales was given to local schools.

Prior to Smith’s remarks, Deputy Chief Joe Grayson spoke of renewing old friendships, speaking Cherokee and being Cherokee.

He said he was 4 years old when he came to the first Cherokee National Holiday, and 20 years ago he and wife, Gwen Grayson, chaired the event dedicated to Cherokee families. Grayson thanked all involved for their effort to make the holiday a success this year.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, also briefly addressed the Cherokee National Holiday crowd.

“I am deeply honored that you have invited me to come here and speak about a common cause,” he said. “Our future depends on us working and standing together.”

Fontaine, a citizen of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, is serving his third term as AFN national chief.