Cherokee Nation Opens Applications for Heirloom Seeds; Flowers, Gourds and Corn Available

Cherokee Nation offering heirloom seeds to tribal citizens interested in growing traditional Cherokee crops.(Courtesy-Cherokee Nation)

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Tribal citizens interested in growing fruits and vegetables their ancestors grew will get the chance soon.

The Cherokee Nation will begin taking applications for its limited supply of heirloom seeds on February 6th.

“I’m very proud to see the Cherokee Nation seed bank continue to offer a vital link to our Cherokee homeland,” Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said. “The distribution of these traditional seeds helps us preserve pieces of our history and heritage as Cherokees. These plants have been a part of Cherokee gardens and landscapes for centuries.”

Seeds available for the 2024 growing season include multiple types of corn, gourds and beans.

Native plant seeds are also available and include flowers like Blue Wild Indigo, Cutleaf Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Trumpet Vine, Sunchoke and American Basket Flower.

Seed packages can be requested online through the Gadugi Portal by clicking here.

The seed supply is limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. Tribal citizens can get two varieties of seeds and one variety of corn and gourds.

Last year, the Cherokee Nation distributed more than 9,500 packages of traditional seeds.