The Cherokee Conservation Foundation was created to protect and celebrate the culture, stories, and legacy of the Cherokee people by Candice McCoy, a Cherokee citizen and an active member of the Tulsa indigenous community, in honor her late mother Gaylene Jackson. Inspired by the voices of our collective ancestors and the promise of future generational involvement, we believe that heritage is not something frozen in time, but something we live, preserve, and pass forward. 

​

Our work is shaped by listening to families, to artists, and to communities near and far from the Nations boundaries. From quiet preservation to vibrant public engagement, we're building a network of projects that reflect the diversity, strength, and creativity of the Cherokee people today. Whether it is a family photo restored, a youth art contest, or a community member sharing their story for the fist time, our work is build on relationships.