CBIHP Foundation
Tahlequah, Oklahoma · Since 2014Preserving Native American stories is an essential part of American history. We carry our culture forward through education, art, and community.
Preserve the Native American narrative
“To preserve the Native American Narrative with primary emphasis on understanding Black Indian history.”
CBIHP works to keep Native American history and culture alive through education, promotion, and community outreach. Film, literature, music, and spoken word help share this knowledge and honor our ancestors.
Cherokees for Black Indian History Preservation Foundation began as a community organization in January 2014 and became a nonprofit foundation in March 2015. Based in Tahlequah, the foundation is led by President Ty “GWY” Wilson.
Historical research, family stories, and community knowledge bring Black Cherokee experiences into view.
Books, symposiums, presentations, art, and film connect people with Cherokee history and language.
Partnerships and hands-on service create places to learn, celebrate, and carry the work forward.
CBIHP is raising funds for a youth roadtrip to Los Angeles, California, planned for October 13–27, 2027.
A story in the making. Ty “GWY” Wilson is writing a children’s book about the kids’ adventure on this trip, inspired by the journey itself.
Fundraising updates will be added here.
Every contribution helps young people see, learn, and carry their history further.
Secure payment through Stripe.
Tahlequah to Los Angeles on I-40 and Route 66
Time with Tsa-La-Gi LA, museums and the city, and the heart of the trip book’s adventure story.
Back to Tahlequah
Celebrating the people and shared effort behind CBIHP’s history.
CBIHP Foundation won first place in the Non-Profit category of the 2024 Cherokee National Holiday Parade in Tahlequah.
The trophy photograph will be added here.
Cherokee Nation Community & Cultural Outreach recognized CBIHP only two years after it became a nonprofit foundation.
Concerts, festivals, history sessions, and community celebrations have been part of CBIHP’s work from the beginning.
Two concerts came first: November 15, 2014, and November 20–21, 2015, at the Dream Theatre in Tahlequah. The first festival followed at Norris Park in 2016, returning in 2017 before moving to the NSU Event Center in 2018. The festival continued August 9–11, 2019, in Tahlequah, then returned after its pandemic pause on June 16–17, 2023, at The Venue in Tahlequah.
The inaugural symposium took place June 21–23, 2024, in Tahlequah. The second annual gathering followed June 21, 2025, at Chota Conference Center, bringing historians, authors, artists, musicians, and the community together.
Ty Wilson presented “Oklahoma Black Cherokees” on October 19, 2017, and “History of the Annual Freedmen Celebration in the Cherokee Nation” on February 22, 2024.
A 12-minute film from the inaugural 2024 gathering. History, voices, and a shared purpose in Tahlequah.
Watch on YouTube ↗Original flyers from CBIHP’s early community events. Select a picture to view the full image.
Explore CBIHP’s programs, publications, community participation, and partner events from 2014 onward.
AmeriCorps members have supported CBIHP’s work to preserve Native American narratives and share Black Indian history.
AmeriCorps VISTA featured Jasmin as CBIHP’s Community Resource Coordinator. Her work supported the preservation of Native American narratives and understanding of Black Indian history and culture.
AmeriCorps spells her name “Jasmine Riggs” in its spotlight.
AmeriCorps’ video introduces Colby, a VISTA member stationed at CBIHP in Tahlequah, supporting the foundation’s history and cultural preservation mission.
The federal 2023 Year in Review lists CBIHP as an AmeriCorps VISTA service location, through Cherokee County Health Services Council. Its reporting window is January 20, 2023–January 19, 2024. Federal service-location report ↗
CCHSC also shared an AmeriThanks post describing a luncheon for its VISTA members. CCHSC’s AmeriThanks post ↗
Cherokee Holiday and Keetoowah parade memories. Our community’s story, in its own photographs.
More event photographs and the 2024 parade trophy photo will be added here.
History, Native American language books, and fiction by Ty “GWY” Wilson. Research and writing remain part of CBIHP’s work in 2024–2026.
Honoring our ancestors. Preserving for future generations.
CBIHP Foundation
P.O. Box 833
Tahlequah, OK 74465