New Art Installation ‘Blue Clan Woman’ statue in Tahlequah

By Staff, Cherokee 411

Tahlequah (September 8, 2025) - Cherokee Nation has unveiled a new large-scale bronze statue along the Cherokee Cultural Pathway in historic downtown Tahlequah, continuing its effort to celebrate Cherokee art and heritage in the heart of the Nation’s capital.

The nearly 6-foot-tall piece, titled “Blue Clan Woman,” was created by Cherokee artist Daniel Horsechief and portrays a Cherokee clan matriarch spreading a message of inclusion and peaceful coexistence.

“This pathway tells our story in a way that words cannot,” Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “I encourage anyone visiting Tahlequah to walk this pathway and take a moment to feel the powerful cultural connection represented through each beautiful work of art.”

Horsechief’s work is the fifth large-scale installation along the pathway, joining pieces by Cherokee artists Tama Roberts, Karen Sixkiller, Rebecca Kunz, and Cherokee National Treasure Eddie Morrison.

The back of the statue features the heavens, sun, and stars to represent how air, earth, plants, animals, and people are interconnected. The front depicts flames, lightning, winds, and other natural forces symbolizing conflict. At the base, a tree ties both sides together, representing the deep roots of the Cherokee people and the intertwining of the literal and spiritual worlds.

The Cherokee Cultural Pathway has become a signature feature of downtown Tahlequah, linking cultural preservation, artistic expression, and community identity through permanent installations honoring Cherokee tradition and storytelling.