4Next7

There is a lot of social division in our area - political, cultural, economic, generational, and much more. There is little space to have respectful discussions about divisive topics. We know that to solve problems we have to first talk about them. 

In addition to navigating social division, 4Next7 aims to create more physical space where community can gather with the simple - yet important purpose - of building community can take place.

Cherokee people are a diverse population comprised of a broad diaspora of identities developed over generations. Our community has been divided by colonization since contact. Families comprise factions of the people who have valued traditional principles and teachings as opposed to those who embraced colonial principles of governance in the interest of survival. This includes use of a colonial governance structure in an attempt to circumvent U.S. gov.

The solutions our organization offers to our community are not new. 4Next7 aims to employ the time honored and trusted practices of our ancestors. Principles of consensus-based decision making, mutual respect for all relations, and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. 

In practice these principles are utilized during our weekly meetings. These concepts are outlined in our traditional stories and values. Principles such as honoring one another's voice because we know it is something no one can take away, including everyone, talking as long as it takes to find a solution everyone can feel confident about, and many others. 

Our weekly meetings are organized by: the first Thursday of the month is a general talking circle. The second Thursday is a community building meeting where we relax, play games, or do crafts. The third Thursday is a council talking circle where the core members of the group make plans and develop solutions. The fourth Thursday is our discussion meeting where we discuss local issues and policy at the public library. If there is a fifth Thursday we host a potluck, which also builds community. 

On top of our weekly meetings we host events such as our Community Day which was last year where we had several traditional crafts to make and take, a storyteller, speakers, singers, and free frybread and beans. We believe that our community is lacking a place to gather without the obligation to spend money. We aim to create spaces where community can exist without expectations. 

We also are present at tribal and city council meetings, we speak up for the youth, and we write letters to officials regarding our opinions and thoughts. 

We aim to serve our community directly and the people who live in it. This includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous people because Tahlequah is very mixed. We hope our efforts will help community members feel more interconnected socially, culturally, and with a shared respect for all relations. 

4Next7 directly impacts the community of Tahlequah, OK which is the capital of the United Keetoowah Band and the Cherokee Nation. We hope one day to have the ability to reach further and impact more tribes than just Cherokees, but we acknowledge that we must start small and with our own community.

We hope we will impact community members by providing them with a sense of belonging and a space to grow, acknowledge, and share their voice. We hope to lift them up in culture, community, tribal language, traditional values, leadership and much more. 

4Next7 is an Indigenous and youth led organization. We strive to bring Indigenous teachings and practices into the work we do. As young people we are well positioned to call for meaningful change in our communities. As Cherokee people we know we will find the most success through a pursuit of balance. Presently, there is a lack of youth voice in the decision-making processes in government bodies, organizational boards of directors, and educational institutions. We aim to fill this void by stepping up to do the work and be leaders in Tahlequah alongside our elders. 

The council members of 4Next7 all live in Tahlequah, most grew up here, and we're all Cherokee people. Through different paths, we have learned valuable knowledge and skills from our elders and teachers and aim to utilize it through our leadership. 

We believe we are qualified to do this work because as young people we know that the future is going to be impacted by the decisions we make today. Our future is ours and we must actively take responsibility for it.

We are excited for the possibility to be named among the previous Indigenous change makers recognized by Solve. Solve is helping to connect Indigenous people creating change in their communities across Turtle Island. As young people and as a young organization, 4Next7 would benefit a great deal from being connected with those who are actively working toward similar solutions.

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn and expand our network as we know that we don't have all the answers and we're always open to growth. No one person or organization can take on a challenge such as the lack of a sense of community that Tahlequah is faced with (as well as the country at large). We know we must all work together to foster a sense of community and collaborate in decision making proceses. 

Siyo nigad, Lily Drywater dawado. Gotahn tsalagtvnv. Hello everyone, my name is Lily Drywater. My Cherokee name is Gotahn which translates to "the fire is lit." It was given to me by my grandpa as it was his moms name, who is also my English namesake. I was born and raised in Tahlequah and felt the lack of community which is why we began 4Next7. I was immensely inspired by the resistance movements that Indigenous people have led since colonization which I learned about in a class at Northeastern State University called "Self Determination Movements." I learned that many of these movements began with just a handful of people, often young people. I looked around my hometown at the problems and possible solutions, and that's how 4Next7 began.