Presenter reports 28,561 Cherokee Nation citizens in California and urges community organizing

A presenter at a Cherokee Nation gathering in California reported that there are "28,561 citizens of the great Cherokee Nation in the great state of California," and urged attendees living off‑reservation to join at‑large organizations and take part in community organizing.

The presenter framed the meeting as a chance to both "have a family reunion" and organize, saying many attendees have asked themselves "what can I do for my nation?" A second speaker encouraged people to visit tables and connect in person, offering to meet individually: "Let me know how I can be helpful. I promise you if I can be helpful, I will. You have my word on that."

Organizers emphasized cultural priorities and youth investment. The presenter said they see "the hunger for our language and culture" and noted ongoing efforts to invest in young people and "lift up Cherokee communities that the rest of the world may have forgot about, but we didn't forget about them."

The presenter closed on a note of pride and optimism, saying the Cherokee Nation "may be the largest tribe in The United States," and adding, "what's most important is we're the strongest tribe in The United States, and we just keep getting stronger." The event organizers repeatedly asked attendees to join at‑large organizations, calling those groups "the reason we're here."

No formal votes or motions were reported in the transcript of these remarks. The gathering was presented as an occasion for community networking, cultural reinforcement and recruitment into at‑large Cherokee Nation organizations.