NATIVE
AMERICAN INDIAN PAGE

There doesn't seem to be much out there in graphics that is Native American Indian. I will be doing some of my own graphics to put here, for those that are like me and would like some to use in their web pages.

I have always had an intense interest in this culture, which is natural, since I found out I am of mixed blood and part of that mix is Cherokee. I will be putting poetry, graphics, and some information on this page, so please come back soon to see what I have done to make this a special page.

The Cherokee seal was designed to embrace the early government structure, and the eternal endurance of the Cherokee Indians. It was adopted by Act of the Cherokee National Council, and approved in 1871. The seven-pointed star symbolizes the seven age old clans of the Cherokee. The seven characters of Sequoyah’s syllabary, meaning "Cherokee Nation." (The Cherokee characters are phonetically pronounced "Tsa-la-gi-hi A-yi-li"). The wreath of oak leaves symbolizes the sacred fire which, from time immemorial, the Cherokees kept burning in their land. Oak was the wood traditionally burned, different species of oak having ever been indigenous to Cherokee country, both in North Carolina and Georgia as well as in the Indian Territory to which the Cherokees removed in the early 1800's...The margin wording proclaims the authority of the seal in both the English and the Cherokee languages, and records the date, 1839, of the adoption of the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation West. This seal was imprinted on all documents until the dissolution of the Cherokee Nation at Oklahoma Statehood.

Cherokee {Chair o keÑe). Largest of the southeastern tribes, the Cherokee originally settled broad homelands in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge, the Great Smoky Mountains, and eastem Tennessee. Skilled hunters, traders, warriors, farmers, and medicine people, they were forced, through government removal, to walk the Trail of Tears in the fall and winter of 1838-39. More than four thousand Cherokee died along the way. Today tribal headquarters are located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (in the West), and Cherokee, North Carolina (in the East). The earliest Cherokee's lived in Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia(this is where my family was originally from). The original 7 clans of the Cherokee were; Bird, Deer, Blue, Wild Potato, Paint, Wolf, and Long Hair.

STORIESLEGENDS

The following are traditional Cherokee stories handed down from one generation to the next. The storyteller wants to remain anonymous as these stories are not his own; they belong to the people and are shared among all.

The Little Boy and The Rattlesnake

The little boy was walking down a path and he came across a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake was getting old. He asked, "Please little boy, can you take me to the top of the mountain? I hope to see the sunset one last time before I die." The little boy answered "No Mr. Rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you'll bite me and I'll die." The rattlesnake said, "No, I promise. I won't bite you. Just please take me up to the mountain." The little boy thought about it and finally picked up that rattlesnake and took it close to his chest and carried it up to the top of the mountain.

They sat there and watched the sunset together. It was so beautiful. Then after sunset the rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked, "Can I go home now? I am tired, and I am old." The little boy picked up the rattlesnake and again took it to his chest and held it tightly and safely. He came all the way down the mountain holding the snake carefully and took it to his home to give him some food and a place to sleep. The next day the rattlesnake turned to the boy and asked, "Please little boy, will you take me back to my home now? It is time for me to leave this world, and I would like to be at my home now." The little boy felt he had been safe all this time and the snake had kept his word, so he would take it home as asked.

He carefully picked up the snake, took it close to his chest, and carried him back to the woods, to his home to die. Just before he laid the rattlesnake down, the rattlesnake turned and bit him in the chest. The little boy cried out and threw the snake upon the ground. "Mr. Snake, why did you do that? Now I will surely die!" The rattlesnake looked up at him and grinned, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

Creation

Many, many moons ago, in the beginning of time, the earth was all water. There was no land. All the four-leggeds, all the animals, all the winged-ones, lived up in the sky on the clouds. They were waiting for the land to dry, but it would not dry. They would send one animal but he would come back unable to find dry land. The animals would regularly check the water below. Finally, after a dog had looked and reported back that it was still wet, they sent the water beetle. The water beetle dove into the water, grabbed a handful of mud at the bottom, brought it up and placed it on top of the water; and it started to dry, started to build land. He brought more and more; and still they waited for it to dry, still they waited and waited.

Finally, they sent grandfather buzzard, the mighty buzzard, down and the land was almost dry. As the buzzard flew, he'd fly down close to the land; and every time he would flap his mighty wings, he would form a mountain and a valley. That's why the Cherokee land has mountains and valleys in it today. All the animals came down and settled on the earth.

After they did, they realized they had no light. So they called to Grandfather and asked would he give them light, and he did. He brought to them the sun. He put the sun down right by the ground, and it was too hot for the animals. So they pushed and pushed, till finally they got it far enough out that it would not burn all the time; but it was still so hot that the crawfish was baked. That's why, if you look at him today, he is red from the sun being too close.

Finally, they got the sun far enough out so it would not burn and we would have night. And Grandfather told them, "Now that I have done this for you, I ask that all the four-legged, and all the animals, and all the plants stay awake for seven days and for seven nights." This is why today, when a warrior goes to cross his manhood, he fasts and sweats for seven days.

All the animals and all the plants fell asleep except for some. The owl stayed awake, and that's why he has vision to hunt at night now. The plants, the Douglas fir, the cedar, the pine, and a few others stayed awake for seven nights and for seven days. That's why only these, among all the plants, are allowed to stay green all the year round. The other plants fell asleep and so must sleep part of every year.

Such was the beginning of our lands as told by a Cherokee grandmother to her grandson.

IMPORTANT DATES IN CHEROKEE HISTORY

I am only listing a few here, since there are so many I am picking what I think are the more relevant, but in no way am I diminishing the others in their importance.

1540 - The Spanish explorer, Hernando De Soto and his party are the first whites seen by the Cherokees.

1629 - The first traders from the English settlements began trading among the Cherokees.

1721 - The Cherokee Treaty with the Governor of the Carolinas is thought to be the first consession of land.

1785 - Treaty of Hopewell is the first treaty between the U.S. and the Cherokees.

1821 - Sequoyah's Cherokee Syllabary completed, quickly leads to almost total literacy among the Cherokees.

1822 - Cherokee's Supreme Court established.

1824 - First written law of Western Cherokees.

1825 - New Echota, GA authorized as Cherokee capital.

1827 - Modern Cherokee Nation begins with Cherokee Constitution established by a convention; John Ross elected chief.

1828 - Cherokee Phoenix published in English and Cherokee; Andrew Jackson elected President. Gold discovered in Georgia.

1828-1830 - Georgia Legislature abolishes tribal government and expands authority over Cherokee country.

1832 - US Supreme Court decision Worcester vs Georgia establishes tribal sovereignty, protects Cherokees from Georgia laws. Jackson won't enforce decision and Georgia holds lottery for Cherokee lands.

1835 - Treaty Party signs Treaty of New Echota, giving up title to all Cherokee lands in southeast in exchange for land in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma.).

1838-1839 - Trails of Tears. US Government's forced removal of 17,000 Cherokees, in defiance of Supreme Court decision. More than 4,000 die from exposure and disease along the way.

1839 - Assassination of Treaty Party leaders, Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot for breaking pact not to sign Treaty of New Echota.

1846. New constitution ratified at convention uniting Cherokees arriving from the east with those in the west.

1844 Cherokee Supreme Court building opens; Cherokee Advocate becomes the first newspaper in Indian territory.

1860 - Tension mounts between Union Cherokees and Confederate Cherokees. Civil War begins.

1861 - Treaty signed at Park Hill between Cherokee Nation and the Confederate government. Cherokee Nation torn by border warfare throughout the Civil War.

1865-1866 - Cherokee must negotiate peace with the US Government. New treaty limits tribal land rights, eliminates possibility of Cherokee State and is prelude to Dawes Commission. John Ross dies.

1898 - Curtis Act passed abolishing tribal courts.

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

1905 - Land allotment begins after official roll taken of Cherokees.

1907 - Oklahoma statehood combines Indian and Oklahoma Territories and dissolves tribal government.

1917 - William C. Rogers, the last Cherokee Chief, dies.

1949 - W.W. Bill Keeler appointed chief by President Harry Truman.

1957 - First Cherokee National Holiday.

1961 - Cherokees awarded 15 million dollars by the US Claims Commission for Cherokee Outlet Lands.

1963 - Cherokee National Historical Society founded. CNHS opens Ancient Village, 1967; Trail of Tears Drama, 1969, and museum, 1975.

1970 - U.S. Supreme Court ruling confirms Cherokee Nation ownership of bed and banks of 96 mile segment of Arkansas Riverbed.

1971 - W.W.Keeler becomes first elected principal chief since statehood.

1984 - First joint council meeting in 146 years between Eastern Band of Cherokees and Cherokee Nation held at Red Clay, TN. Council meetings now held bi-annually.

1987 - Wilma Mankiller makes history and draws international attention to tribe as first woman elected chief; Cherokee voters pass constitution amendment to elect council by districts in 1991.

1988 - Cherokee Nation joins Eastern Band in Cherokee, NC to commemorate beginning of The Trail of Tears.

1989 - The Cherokee Nation observes 150th anniversary of arrival in Indian Territory. "A New Beginning".

1991 - In the July tribal election the first council to be elected by districts since statehood and Wilma Mankiller won second elected term as principal chief with a landslide 82% of the votes cast.

1995 - Joe Byrd and Garland Eagle elected principal chief and deputy chief which marks the first time in nearly 200 years that full blood bilingual leaders occupy the top positions of the Cherokee Nation.

White Mourning Dove

Indian Love Poem

The Way of the Circle

When you first arise in the morning, give thanks to the Creator, to the four directions, to Mother Earth, to Father Sky, and to all of our relations, for the life within you and for all life around you.
Remember that all things are connected.
All things have purpose, everything has its place.
Honor others by treating them with kindness and consideration.
If you have more than you need for yourself and your family, consider performing a "giveaway" by distributing your possessions to others who are in need.
You are bound by your word, which cannot be broken except by permission of those who the promise was given to.
Seek harmony and balance in all things.
It is always important to remember where you are in relation to everything else, and to contribute to the Circle in whatever way you can by being a "helper" and protector of life.
Sharing is the best part of receiving.
Practice silence and patience in all things as a reflection of self-control, endurance, dignity, reverence, and inner calm.
Practice modesty in all things, by avoiding boasting and loud behavior that attracts attention to yourself.
Know the things that contribute to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.
Always ask permission, and give something for everything that is received, including giving thanks for, and honoring all living things.
Be aware of what is around you, what is inside of you, and always show respect.
Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect.
Do not stare at others; drop your eyes as a sign of respect, especially in the presence of Elders, teachers, or other honored persons.
Always give a sign of greeting when passing a friend or stranger.
Never criticize or talk about someone in a harmful, negative way.
Never touch something that belongs to someone else without permission.
Respect the privacy of every person, making sure to never intrude upon someone's quiet moments or personal space.
Never interfere in the affairs of another by asking questions or offering advice.
Never interrupt others.
In another persons home, follow his or her customs rather than your own.
Treat with respect all things held sacred to others whether you understand these things or not.
Treat Earth as your mother; give to her, protect her, honor her; show deep respect for those in the animal world, plant world, and mineral world.
Listen to guidance offered by all of your surroundings; expect this guidance to come in the form of prayer, dreams, quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders, and friends.
Listen with your heart.
Learn from your experiences, and always be open to new ones.
Always remember that a smile is something sacred, to be shared.
Live each day as it comes

Part Indian?

I recently read a very unique story on a website while searching for information for this page. I was so intrigued by it that I wish to relate some of it here, since I feel that it is truly wonderful and very true. I have always referred to myself as "part Indian" since I am. This story opened my eyes and now I feel that it is proper to answer the question of what my heritage is as "Native American Indian, Cherokee to be exact" instead of "part Indian". I hope after relating this tale, you will agree with me.

A doctor that was "part-Indian" was called upon to care for an elderly Indian woman, who was over 80 years old. His treatment brought her back to good health, but during the treatment he told her he was part Indian. To this statement the elderly woman replied, "which part of you is Indian?". Of course anyone in this situation would be uncomfortable and not know how to answer such a question. Later he met her again and she once more asked him if it was his foot or ear maybe that was the Indian part of him. After having these encounters he came to realize that he was Indian, regardless of the percentage that was by blood, he was still Indian. This elderly woman gave him a sense of pride in his heritage and this man now tells his heritage as American Indian, not "part Indian".

This story was very moving to me. I was struck by the similarities in situations. I have always been very proud of my Native American heritage and I will no longer say I am "part Indian" as this man had also done. I am Native American Indian, Cherokee to be exact!

© 1998-2003

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