Cherokee Tribe

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Welcome to the Cherokee Tribe...
The Cherokees are original residents of the American southeast region, particularly Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Most Cherokees were forced to move to Oklahoma in the 1800's along the Trail of Tears.

Location: Stanfield, North Carolina 28163
Members: 63
Latest Activity: Apr 21, 2023

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What was the Cherokee Trail of Tears?

Trail of Tears was the Cherokee name for what the Americans called Indian Removal. During the 1800's, the US government created an "Indian Territory" in Oklahoma and sent all the eastern Native American tribes to live there. Some tribes willingly agreed to this plan. Other tribes didn't want to go, and the American army forced them. The Cherokee tribe was one of the largest eastern tribes, and they didn't want to leave their homeland. The Cherokees were peaceful allies of the Americans, so they asked the Supreme Court for help. The judges decided the Cherokee Indians could stay in their homes. But the President, Andrew Jackson, sent the army to march the Cherokees to Oklahoma anyway. They weren't prepared for the journey, and it was winter time. Thousands of Cherokee Indians died on the Trail of Tears. Many Native Americans from other tribes died too. It was a terrible time in history.
1000 Timeline of Cherokee History 1000 - Cherokee are well known in Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountain area, having traveled on foot from the Appalachian Mountains to the Iroquois territory. 1540 - Hernando de Soto travels the Cherokee territory. 1600s - Spanish, French,English explorers, and traders start to come into Cherokee Territory. 1730 - Cherokee leaders visit England. 1754 - Nanye hi becomes a Beloved Woman to her people after challenging the Cherokees in a battle against the Creeks. 1756- 1763 - Cherokees fight in the French and Indian war (against the British.) 1776 - Cherokees are again enemies against the British in the American Revolution. 1780- 1820 - Cherokees sign more treaties leaving their land to the United States. 1821 - The Cherokee syllabary is finished by Sequoyah. 1827 - Cherokees draft a constitution declaring themselves a nation. 1828 - The Cherokee Phoenix is published, Andrew Jackson becomes president of the United States, and John Ross becomes Principal Chief. 1830 - The Indian Removal Act is passed.

1835 - The Treaty of New Echota is signed declaring all of the Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. government. It was signed by Major Ridge and a small group of Cherokees.

1838 - The Trail of Tears started because Cherokees are forced off their land to Indian Territory.

1839 - A new capital is established by the Cherokee Nation in what is now known as Oklahoma.

1861 - At Park Hill a Treaty is signed between the Confederate government and the Cherokee Nation.

1866-1867 - They negotiate peace with the U.S. government. Tribal and land rights treaty is signed. John Ross dies.

1887 - General Allotment Act is passed.

1889 - Indian Territory taken over by white settlers or "boomers."

1890 - Western half of Indian Territory turned into Indian Territory.

1893 - White settlers take over Cherokee Outlet.

1898 - Curtis Act is passed.

1903 - W.C. Rogers becomes last elected chief. He was chief for 69 years.

1905 - Land allotment begins.

1907 - Indian and Oklahoma territories are combined by Oklahoma statehood. Tribal government dissolves.

1917 - W. C. Rogers dies. He was the last Cherokee chief.

1934 - Indian Reorganization act is established.

1948 - Chief J.B. Milam calls Cherokee convention.

1949 - President Harry Truman appoints W.W. Bill Keeler as chief.

1957 - First national holiday for Cherokees.

1961 - US Claims Commission awards Cherokees 15 million dollars for the Cherokee Outlet Land.

1963 - Cherokee National Historical Society founded.

1967 - Cherokee Foundation formed.

1970 - Cherokee Nation gets ownership of beds and banks.

1971 - W.W. Bill Keeler becomes elected principal chief. He was the first chief since statehood.

1975 - self-determination and Education Act is passed. Ross O. Swimmer elected principal chief. He served a term for three years. First Cherokee Tribal Council elected.

1976 - Cherokee voters accept new constitution.

1984 - Eastern band of Cherokees and Cherokee nation hold first joint council meeting. It was the first meeting held in 146 years.

1987 - Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman elected chief, and makes history.

1988 - The Trail of Tears begin when the Cherokee Nation combines with the Eastern band of Cherokees.

1989 - The 150th anniversary for the Cherokees for arriving in the "Indian Territory" or a "New Beginning."

1990 - Chief Mankiller sign the self-governance agreement. This makes the Cherokee Nation one of the six tribes to cooperate in the self-determination project.

1991 - Wilma Mankiller becomes principal chief again to serve her second term.

1995 -Joe Byrd and Garland Eagle elected principal chief.

Copyright Message

Cherokee Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youths' rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

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Comment by Pauline Dawson on October 12, 2012 at 2:57am: +Though not born of the Nation I have always felt like a child of the people as some time you get the feeling of being from an other time and place I feel great heart ache in reading "Trail of Tears" with so any good people being lost along the way. May Peace soon be upon Mother Earth.

Comment by Waya Ageyuhi(Loving Wolf) on October 9, 2012 at 4:21pm: autumn equinox I hope those wishing to are in preparation for our Cherokee New Year which falls on Oct 15th this year. It's on the first new moon after the equinox. . Some are forgiving others, old debts are forgiven, cleaning all your homes, buildings, vehicles, and be ready to cleanse your home with a cedar smudging around

Oct 15th. Some other old ways are giving away older food and replenishing, gifts to those you want to like elders etc, have new clothes to put on after going to water. I do my cleaning etc up to the new moon then use cedar to cleanse then go to water before sun rises on the night of the 15 th this year. You can go anytime after midnight but before sun up on the 16th. If you can't do it on those days just know that's when we would and go whens best according to when you can go.

most important thing! If you have a fire you need to clean it all out and start a new fire on the new year. Some have indoor fires but some only have outdoor fires.

Comment by David White Hawk Administrator on September 30, 2012 at 2:38pm: Thank You for the invite

Comment by Mary Lou Carpenter/Langley on December 28, 2011 at 11:14pm: I know who I am in the theory of existence and spirit...but I don't know where I come from

This was kept secret from me growing up. I am told what I am like pieces of pie divided between different peoples and that some are just lucky enough to have more of me than most...so to speak.

I have more Cherokee blood in me than any other nationality or tribe, but I am not greater than 50% anything...so what am I?

I ask my mom...she tells me that I look white so I should say I am.

Am I Cherokee?
Am I Caucasian?
Or am I just a pie cut into different pieces and belong nowhere?

When I'm asked on job applications I just mark "prefer not to say" cause I feel like the pie that belongs nowhere. Especially when they tell you that you can only mark one...

Comment by Rumiana As-Nova Alexander on October 1, 2011 at 7:19pm: Osoy to Tzoi Tawodi,so beautiful and filled with native wisdom and truth,thank you for let me be part of this quantum poetry for the meaning of the water,as we are made 90% of it and is the sign of Jesus,Moses,the Sons of the Creator,who heal us with the life giving,sustaining us animals,fish,birds,plants-divine nature,nourished with the water,for the Big Spirit loved us so much,to make us on His image,to protect the Mother Earth+the Goddess=Holy Spirit-Cosmic energy,we are obliged to them to love+guard the Blue planet Earth, love from Rumiana As-Nova{Dove}+all my blessings to my friends warriors!!!

Comment by Tsoi Tawodi on October 1, 2011 at 2:40pm: Quantum

Of Creator I am
One with all that is
A tear on a journey earthward
Born of a Cloud Peoples pain

I feel Earth Mothers agony
Her keepers are walking away
Questing for gold
Ignoring a trust

I am the tear
Forming pools
Streams and rivers
Filling oceans

I honor Earth Mother
Cleansing her face
Refreshing her spirit
Nourishing her children

From cheek to pool
Stream to river
Ocean to Clouds
I am often mixed

My purity may change
Yet my purpose does not
I am Water
Seeker of balance and harmony

Sustainer of life
I give to all
My quantum seldom pure
Holding judgment over none

Because I am often mixed
Will you say I am not Water?
Is the tear falling
Less than morning’s dew?

Has Creator declared this?
Or is it you?
Purity does not create our path
It is defined by ones spirit

I am Water
I quench your thirst in life
I care nothing of your quantum
I am not your judge

Yet will you judge me?
And declare me less than?
Are you above the lesser quantum?
Do you bind as secret, Earth Ways given to heal?

If so,
White Cracker has trained you well
Does his number make you greater?
Or his card give you special medicine?

I am Water
Seldom pure
Open to sharing Earth Healing
Even giving to you

I am of Creator
I know who I am
I am assigned no number
I carry no white man’s card

My ancestors were here before you
And the Cloud People before them
Are not our Rock People the First Peoples,
Born of a Great Mystery’s energy?

I am Water
Mixed or pure
I am still your brother
I am still your sister

Will your quantum seclude you
From your own family less pure?
They too are your brothers
And your sisters as well

Grandfather Sun does not hide his healing ways
Not from you
Nor from me
Or from any of our relations

Is not the goodness of spirit a molding power?
Creating those who will care for Earth Mother?
Shall any hide secrets that could heal her?
And watch her die as they remain smug?

The hatreds spread by a White Cloud
Were not limited to full quantum
Many felt this pain
Not just you

I am Water
Born of Creator
Mixed or pure
My path is one of honor

You are you
Born of Creator
But who are you?
And what have you become?

Sidanelai

3 Hawks

Comment by Tsoi Tawodi on October 1, 2011 at 2:37pm: I find it intersting that Chad Smith, chief of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma put his signature on this bill. I wote him a letter and let him know that he, the head of this nation, with a stroke of his pen became the first Native Person to break a treaty with the U.S. The Freed Men were part of a deal in 1907...he broke that treaty and his reply was that things are different now. NO..THEY ARE NOT...this is all about money and it disgusts me that our people would agree to such a thing. Many blacks became members of the People and now when money is involved it makes me want to puke to see this Nation becoming so white in it's ways. Chad Smith is a disgrace to do this to the decendents of the Freed Men. When our people take on the ways of the dominant society for money...something our ancestors never needed...I want to vomit and must wonder what the old ones who have gone before us must be thinking. I am Tsalagi..Cherokee from Oklahoma. This act is sickening...but it is the White way and our people have totally lost their way with the honor factor. How very very sad. Today is all about quantum...money...and so little regard for the ways we all once walked. Full bloods are often angry..mixed bloods so often seek to live in the old ways and they get denounced by the 'full bloods'...a total joke to be sure. I have met full bloods who have no clue as to their ancestry and have met mixed bloods who want so much to hold fast to the ways of our old ones...ways of honor...oneness with earth and all our relations. This is a sad day for the Oklahoma Nation of Cherokee...very dark and very sad. Now they have no need to see the wisdom of the old ones, they only need to seek the money of the dominant society. Diane Fienstien, a senator, reccommended that federal funds be discontinued to the Cherokee Nation of Okla...over this act...I hope they cut their money off..they have a casino...our black brothers and sisters who were a part of this nation are getting the shaft. Chad Smith...what a pathetic leader of a once proud people.

Comment by LadyHawkღ on October 1, 2011 at 8:59am

Comment by E.J. Mayton on August 1, 2011 at 3:44am: Monday morning, may the week bring blessings that we are not to busy to accept, anyone read Walking the Trail by Jerry Ellis?

Comment by LadyHawkღ on June 19, 2011 at 1:49pm: CHEROKEE TIDBITS
Cherokee legend explains that the Great Smoky Mountains were created by a Great Buzzard. When the earth was soft and still forming, the Great Buzzard flew too close and as its wing tips pushed the ground down, the Mountains popped up. Another story tells of the Great Spirit, who turned men into bears for being too lazy.

The Cherokee Nation was divided into 7 clans; Deer, Wolf, Bird, Paint, Ani-Saha-ni, Ani-Gatagewi, and Ani-Gila-hi.

The Cherokees called themselves the Ani-Yun' wiya, meaning "real People", "leading people", or "principal people." The term Cherokee was probably given to them by their neighbors in the southeast, the Creeks, who called them "Tciloki", meaning "people of a different speech."

Gideon Blackburn (1772-1838) was a Presbyterian clergyman, educator, and missionary to the Cherokee Indians.

Chief John Ross was born October 2, 1790.

The authors of the John Howard Payne manuscripts on Cherokee life and customs (1836) believed that the Cherokee were descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. John Haywood, in his Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee (1828), advanced the idea that the Cherokee were compounded of tribes from India and Scythia. (Joseph Smith said that he received the plates which began the Church of Latter-Day Saints in 1827.)

Henry Starr, a Cherokee half-breed, was born at Fort Gibson on December 2, 1873. He was arrested and jailed many times for bank robberies. After his third conviction he was sent to the federal prison in Columbus Ohio but was pardoned by President Theodore Roosevelt. He returned to the Cherokee Nation, married and settled down. Finding life too tame, he was finally killed trying to rob a bank in Harrison, Arkansas.

Black cowboy Henry Clay taught Will Rogers roping tricks.

In 1939, Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra REcorded "Cherokee" for Bluebird Records.

Sequoyah's statue stands in the capitol building in Washington, D.C.