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Home , Cherokee, Cherokee history, William Holland Thomas

DOCUMENT RESUME ED 021 677 RC 002 569 INDIANS OF . (Dept. ofInterior), , D.C. Pub Date 68 Note- 16p. Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (GPO: Available from- Superintendent ofDocuments, U.S. Government Printing 1968/0- 287- 680, 115) EDRS Price MF- 50.25 HC Not Availablefrom EDRS. ECONOMIC Descriptors-*ACCULTURATIOR *AMERICAN INDIANS, CULTURAL BACKGROUND, *HISTORICAL REVIEWS, DISADVANTAGEMENT, *ECONOMIC PROGRESS,FEDERAL AID, FEDERAL LEGISLATION, MODERN HISTORY, *UNITED STATESHISTORY Identifiers-* Incians, North Carolina A brief historical review of theCherokee Indians from themid-sixteenth century to modern day depicts anindustrious adverselyaffected by the settlement movement only to make exceptionaleconomic advancementswith the aid of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Civic pride andself-leadership among the CherokeeIndians in North Carolina has resulted in increasedemployment, industrial development,education, social welfare, and a thriving tourist business.Pictures and maps addsignificance to the material presented. (SW) U.S. DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF EDUCATION HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCEDORIGINAIM6 EXACTLY IT. AS RECEIVED POINTS Of VIEW OR OPINIONS FROM THE PERSONPOSITIONORSTATED OR DO ORGANIZATIOB NOT NECESSARILY 1146. POLICY. REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE Of ! EDUCATION

LVs, 4 "I will lift upfrom mine whence eyes unto cometh the my help. Mywhich help madecometh heaven from theand Lord, earth." Psalms 121:1-2 (Translation from the Cherokee) mountainousrefugeeskeesremoval in North now of traet Carolina,thenumber tribein western 6,000 towhose . Northpeople ancestors Carolina who That took live ofwas refugeon Thismore thein passage1838. thaninCherokee the 563500 The mountainsfrom Indiandescendants theacres. Bible duringReservationa has offorced particular those meaning to the Eastern Band of Chero- manufacturingoccupationstourists each as year. theirplants fellow established Arikericans. on the reservationAlways and an caterindustrious to about people, five themillion today are engaged in much the same They are anxious to welcome even more. They farm, manage their forests, work in 1 southern Alleghenies forCherokee several Indianscenturies had when been De strongly Soto entrenched inTHE the INDUSTRIOUS CHEROKEES 1271:MAZTS 01' NOR.= C.8.1%.0LIZT.S. dislocation,selves(including to an intensivethey that still of hadthestocktaking.As presentabout the 19th 43,000 Reservation). Despite century square began, miles the of Cherokees land subjected them- war, disease, and But they real- ofperouthpenetratesightedand North . diversifiedthem andthe AppalachiansSouth in 1540.They people, Carolina, Bywere occupying thethey farmers,Virginia, time found whitewhat the , areCherokees traders now the beganGeorgia, a States pros- to growing corn, beans, amongwhiteprimitiveized both man. them, societythe With they futility the to dealconsiderable of warwith andthe aidnew,the of inadequacy strongerwhite one of of their the embarked upon a period of recovery and warriors,kets.ceremonialsquash, They melons, defending were masks also and and their hunters,tobacco. wooden lands fishers, againstbowls traders,and Indian weaving andenemies sometimes fine north bas- They were artists, carving ofinAmerica'srebuilding 1820,government established Indians. that with was a the 32-member toTheCherokee advance tribe unicameral formedNation, them firstato republicanlegislature, the a Cherokee top rank formwith Nationalof Council and, ,begantionaland south. to encroach appeared in 1738,The 18th killing century half drastically the tribe. altered the Cherokees'way of life. tradi- uponEarly in the 1700's, land-hungry settlers their rich lands. A new enemy, From principalforofits law capital40 followed chief, at New the in firstEchota, 1827. of whom ExecutiveGeorgia. was A the constitution great John and Ross, code years to be leader of the . power was vested in a 2thetheirwar1756 tribe with homes, until was colonists. theforced century's to give end, Cherokees crops, and livestock wereMilitary heavily defeats damaged; cost and them many lives; up much of its best land. were sporadically at plishmentthemselveslabary by during a literate its brief people. led Invention"golden to the tribe's age;" and themostdevelopment Cherokees notable accom-ofmade a complete Cherokee syl- )1' whiteAmericanSequoyah, trader Indian, one and ofa was Cherokeethe bornmost in womanbrilliant Tennessee of igures mixed about in blood. 1760,the annals Hethe grew son of of theup a methodCherokee,primers.Sequoyahin thea hunting tribe, invented By learnedthe was 1821 accident.only a without hunter heto case readhad andin Althoughdevised whiteand American fur write prompting.trader a system byhe Indian until studyingnever ofpermanentlySequoyah records writing attended -school of suitablecarried a crippled writingse his to ETHNOLOGY.)SMITHSONIANlanguagein the IOW.system OFFICE Hefar beyonddied or ANTHROPOLOGY, in the MexkoBut Eastern the attribe, Band the BUREAU already ageto Cherokees of OF 83. livingAMEMCAN living in greatly reduced space, was (PHOTO: forpletelygoldinroadsfaced removal in removingwith ,of was settlersintenxified intensified. the on was Indians. the threatsadded edge With aofto growing Clerokeeits the land. discovery sentiment To territory, the in continuing 1828for the com- ofcry By 1830 removal had become anteesExodusnational was policy. and lost inthe December rrailThe ofCherokees' 1835, Tears with struggle the signing for protection of an under Federal guar- Ares the$5agreement million. under The in Treaty exchangewhich of the New forentire landEchota tribe there hadwould and not movepayment been beyondnegoti- of 3 411111111111111111111111111110- calledokeesThebersated Government,byof resistedin officialsthe to tribeandround for of however, up2the years,most the Cherokee entire of butconsidered the Federalpopulation Nationonly tribe wouldit troops binding. for by not were removal.a few Theaccept finally mem-Cher- it. Town,intheirandans his history. as gaveown Wolf landowners themname. Town, the He Yellowuntil names divided 1866, Hill,they the andstill lands Bighave: intoCove. Bird five Town, districts, Paint Since North Carolina did not recognize Indi- Thomas bought lands for them (The first fourthtoeven14,000 Indian today, died Cherokeesterritory isduring remembered in the began what Thereterrible is theas now followed"The 800-mile-long hardships Oklahoma. Trail the of andtragic Tears." journey suffering time inon Cherokee footof history which, Almost one- About Protectionthreeto retire. are names and of RecognitionCherckeeThe tribeclans.) was hard-hit when illness and age caused Thomas Their lands, held in Thomas' name, were threat- TreatytryWebster,wasthe 6-month-longthat deplored of great "ThereNew wrongby Echota.") isordeal.many a stronghas been and done growing of to the feeling Cherokee in the by coun- the (The Government's removal action the day. Said Daniel theened1875,ofsured. Government Indianwhen Toa constitution his safeguardAffairs creditors intervened, was their wassued, made interests thatadopted and trustee Cherokee it wasfurther, so of not theCherokee holdings until theCherokees Commissioner 1874, lands.were when could as- In andpassin North hidbefore as Carolina fugitivesit was incame someinThus the Atto measure mountains.anthe Cherokee end. time regained.Two of tribaltheStruggling generations exodus, jurisdiction forabout were homes 1,000over to itsCherokees inherited resisted land weretitleFederaltransactappoint to to advancethe Government).business representatives Qualla tducation, with Reservation the United tohold settle and anStates outlyingvarious (the immediatemattrrs tracts (present with aims the In 1876, they were granted formal agricultural fair, and 4ple.helpThomasand Forto official a 50 white the years Easternacceptance, trader, he wasCherokees Col. to the Williambe Cherokee intimately owe theirHolland refugees existence connected Thomas. turned as witha Topeo- for InteriorCherokee1882. Ato holdings). lawinvestigate of the same Aand Government yearreport authorized to Congress agent the was Secretarya planappointed of ofset- thefor the Cherokees in r- the*neatbodyeast North forawl of theallCarolina west. differencestribe, In had Cherokees,1866, dissolved existing a Supreme in connection refusing among to with move Court decision held that Cherokee Indians the Cherokee with the PersonState.throughoutcoastal County; areas counties and survivors Roanoke in the Island;south-east-centralo: the mixed-bloodsMachapunga part called Tribe of the"The in So-called "submerged" groups are the Cubans of nation.Nationwest,attempts inTheand Oklahoma, to determinedCourt's settle claims decisionand thewere with political wasnot the recognized status of as a separate Cherokeedefinitive: Nation init theended all the Eastern RockinghamLastervisingceivesInstruction Tribe," special agency and at in servicesNash Raleigh, theis northeast,Counties. from North the NoneandFederalCarolina. unidentified of Government.these Indians groups re- in the State Superintendent of Public Super- dertribe.Cherokees. State Charter empoweringSinceIn them1925, 1889 to bythe conduct petition Eastern business ofBand the oftribal Ls Cherokees a council has and operated following un- an andCherokee Jackson cabin Counties, home of North the 1880's Carolina. on Qualla Photographer Reservation, was SwainJames theAct Government, band.of Congress, whichtitle to holds Cherokee them landsin trust was for transferred the benefit toof OTHER GROUPS AMERICANonMooney,(PHOTO: the Cherokee a ETHNOLOGY.) SMITHSONIANgreat AmericanTribe. OFFICE ethnologist OF ANTHROPOLOGY, of the time and an BUREAU authority OF thehasonlygle aboutgroupLumbees federally 32,000 of Indians administered(of other Siouan Thein Indians, North Eastem ortribe. mostCarolina Band numerous descent),of and Cherokees is of the which comprises are the However, North Carolina largest sin- scattered State's Some 6,000 members of the Eastern Oherokee THE EASTERN CHEROKEES TODAY Band still club employs 50 to 100 boys and young adults each year on 56,500-acrespect,State.live12-member in Theybut North Cherokeethey are TribalCanlina, arecitizens governed CouncilReservation mostof the elected of byState them ina the byand on westernthe Nation or people. partin everyThis coun- re- Chief, Vice Chief, and a adjacent to the of the Tribalsuchinand turnprojects. farm sales contributed incomes tax collections; have Theto business risen,Cherokee and asthese expansion well economy higher as bank revenues is improving each year. and community deposits and Family have reservation,impressive.tionscil directs in the all town and tribal haveof Cherokee.activities, beenCivic responsible prideincluding and forself-leadershipall suchmunicipal projects among as ihe Cherokees are Seven community clubs are active on the func- haveimprovements.Employment shown a marked As a result, decreaseBecause BIA welfare inmost each reservation assistanceof the past paymentsland 6 years. is forested and mountain- providesconstructionballchurches, fields. practical and of developmentcommunity leadership buildings, of training picnic forsites, repair boys campgrounds of of homes Cherokee and The Cherokee Boys Farm Club, Inc., for example, and infarmadjoiningous, reservation farming for a lowerliving; forests,is hill but slopes. whichmany supportare themselves limited to narrow strips along waterways and Consequently, few Cherokees harvested on a sustained- by workingtimber are 6mechanicserveHigh School. Cherokee shop andHigh finds School.The odd club jobs owns for and the operatesmembers. a fleet The of 12 school buses to It also operates an auto soldyieldindustries.in turn by basis. themarket tribeMore sawlogs each than year2 andmillion to other individual board forest feet of products to nearby Cherokees, who Tribal members are assisted in furthei development of Industrial Development theiragement.cludesist, naturaland outdoor real resources estate recreation by a Matters dealing with leases, specialists. planning and fish and gameBIA man-forester, soil conservation-and plotting are handledLand management 1,elp in- individual and tribal by funds,reservationa combination they havehave paidprovided offEfforts handsomely by the tribe and BIA to attract of revolving credit funds of facilities for three manufacturing industriesin recent hasyears. been siz- industryBIA andto the tribal Using BIA.landhair-stylingon therecords, accessories.and surveyingApproximately 385 Cherokees are reservation, manufacturing textiles, leathercrafts, and employed in factories plants.able,mametingalso amounting(see has Tourist helped outlet to Attractions)for spurmore Cherokee a than thriving and Tribal investments in these handicraft.successfully$230,000. promotedCommunity a mutual action tourist business each year theofby the makingCherokees Nation's traditional havemost madeMany handicraft Cherokee men and women beautiful and popularof vacationincome. areas, tourism and related activities a supplementarticles. family incomeDuring the tourist sea- Situated in one Edusvtion Cherokee children attend both public schools near the mostofson,as the important inthere band distant is seeking source work.BIA places Cherokees in jobs near employmentihdtastrial on theareas. reservation The Bureau for also sponsors.an the reservation, as well all members keereservationofficialsing grades the initiative to kindergartenand effect the a inBureau coordinated working throughThe effects of this at the operated centralCherokee schoolwith Central atpublic Chero- Schoolquality school are education and in Bureau program.12. Tribal leaders are tak- tantIndividualprovideson-the-jobtive in society. helping institutional counselingtraining trainees program vocational and financial in adjust to the demands of a competi- severaltraining local for industries,qualified adults. and sid by BIA are impor- thethoseing,childhood form science, made of aneducation, available and expanded spexial throughand sports compensatory the programs education. Elementaryand music program, and Secondary early Tribal funds as well as in read- Educationprograms.is also offeredAct have through gone into classes, this effort. conferences, and training Adult education tinuedguage services(about 90 of an interpreterSo literate at itshave meetings. the Cherokees become in percent) that the tribal council has the English lan- discon- sayReservation.Indians non-Indian are highly supervisors satisfactory employeesadept, Here a Cherokee woman puts finishing of industrial plants located on calm and dependable, touches on beaded Cherokee attendmoccasinson Cherokee machines produced produces in quiltingby leather-working plant. A cosmetic aids to hair-styling. third Indian-employing industryfactory, while Cherokee men P' Nos. i. 8 4 ground.BIAschools Cherokee is one elementary of the projects school, of Transportation of Cherokee children Cherokee Boyswith Farm modern Club, gym which in right back- to Reservation k Cherokeeowns and driveshomes 12 built under Reservation school buses. Houses seen behind housing development. school are 0

t. Social Welfare careinwhichthe and U.S. and out-patientoperates PublicCherokees Healtha care.hospital Service'sThe on Cherokees' the Division reservation health of isthat improving each year, generally are increasingly acceptingMore mothers are seeking prenatal Indian Health with help of provides onmodernand the has reservation. medical asked for care 20 resultingMutualBIAProgress furnisfies Help in isfewer units. being assistance infant made deaths. in in improving personal and housing family problems, The tribe has completed 36 new homes conditions childchildneedunder welfare, study but the not program. Socialfoster-home eligible Security forFinancial placementsuch Act aid andaid may and isamendments; receiveavailable adoption, welfare to somethose assist- membersin of the Band and a ance from the Bureau. Wastebasket of natural and walnut-dyed river cane, hand-crafted by 10 Reservation.a Cherokeeproducedprovidesancient Cherokee officialIndianby Adult members weaver, displayeducationcraft, of while isthe and typical classesBand. Quamarketing lla assure Arts center andcontinuing Crafts for all Mutual, handicrafts of basketry being produced on life of this Inc., TOURIST ATTRACTIONS year.ful vacationlands, enjoyedCherokee by some and 5 vicinity is one of the Nation's most million tourists each delight- throughouttheirsome waters of the the with best season brown, trout (AprilOctober),Cherokee's brook, and 48 rainbowmiles the of troutclear mountain streams fishing in the southeast. Cherokee stock ofprovideWeekly legal fersbackmilestrout spectacular rider. of streams, inviting mountain unusually trailsEasily for scenery, the accessible naturalist, mild by good paved roads, varied sports opportunities, and the reservationclimate,hiker, of- andexcellent horse- censessize.additional are available ones immediately at twoAbout adjacent,35 motels assure and cottagesample accom- on the reservation,Daily fishing permits and North Carolina convenient locations. fishing li- plus invigorating,plentifulinvites facilitiesswimming, clean for water. campingboating,Throughout and wading, picnicking. the reservation and adjacent and water skiing in Nearbycounties lakes are tribaltions,beautyThemodations; reservation members.most shops, trailerof grocerywhich has facilities area stores, variety owned and laundromats, campsitesof and restaurants, operated are and also service sta- by individual barber and availabIle. flectingEasternBoundary Bandthe Tree importance of Tribal Cherokees, Motel of tourismEnterprise, is one ofon several ownedthe and reservation. operated by theLocated tribal projects re- barParknearrocklabor, and theon veneer U.S.serviceandsouthern members Routedecor. station. entrance 441, of itthe toconsists Band Original units were built by Cherokeethe Nationalcompleted the Lodge's handsomeof a lodge, dining room, snack 11 lodge,Tribal dining Enterprise, room, asnack modernThe bar,band and and owns attractive service and operatesstation. 62-unit Many themotel, Boundary Tree Motel Scene from the centuries-old Eagle Dance, a highlight of "Unto specialduringofCherokee the attraction motel-lodge,the Indiantourist of craftsmen reservation whichIn addition is usually Indian to scenery100 life and and recreation, Cherokee offers season. were employed in construction percent occupied activities. the touristThesedramatizationsummer. attraction Hills," Played presentedsince of Cherokee 1949.in the nightly 2900-seat history except has Mountainside Mondays been throughout Theatre, the this a leading reservation andportrayalknowngramsThe the Cherokee ofMuseum ofof these culturalCherokee is Historicalof the the and annualhistory. Cherokee entertainment Association drama, Indian "Unto importance. These Hills," Oconaluftee Indian Village sponsors three pro-are other Associa- Best a October.tionforttion withfor projects. tourists adjacent traveling Indian villages,"Frontier U.S. Highway island," another featuring19, popular May through All employ tribal members. a reconstructed frontier town and attrac- inshopandCraftstheir search ofmarketing crafts, Mutual,interest of small particularly centerInc.,to mementos. both for theCherokee Cherokeetheir serious basketry. Indians collectorIndian Qua have Ila long been noted for the a tribal cooperative and official display It deals only in authentic, crafts, operates a and tourists beautyArts andof 12beadwork,Cherokee-made and hand-woven handicraft suchlinen and woolen U.S. GOVERMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1968 o-237-e8o as baskets, wood carvings, fabrics. The45P00Carolinathe 56,000-acre eastern acres counties. United in Cherokeethe heart Reservation, of the Its main States,area, "Qua is scattered over Smoky Mountains and largest Indian Ha Boundary," fire western reservationfrom in it by a consistsis a major of North 441 73 teredAcrenarrowentrytribalThe Tract."tractsto stripgovernment townGreat between of of privately-ownedCherokee, only Remainderone on Smoky of the Mountains and headquarters Bryson City and land is the so-calledReservation consistsPark. of ReservationSeparatedof lands, Cherokee is the Indian seat Murphy, North Carolina. "Thomas 3,200- smallAgency. scat- of 4,41 19 129 , 28 28 19 19A441 19A 23 28 441 r 129 23 CHEROKEEINDIAN LANDS 12919 107 Created in 1849, the Department of the In- tionalwildlife,andcernedteriora development resources. with mineral,Department the management, forest,of the of Nation'sand Conservationis park conservation, water,and recrea- fish, con- It also has major responsi- ' renewablecy,bilities for resourcesIndian and are TerritorialAs developed the Nation's affairs. andthe principal Departmentused conservation works to agen- assure that non- Unitedtheablearewisely, conserved resources Statesnowthat park formake and theand their future,recreational in thefull and future.contribution that resources renew-progress, to prosperity, and security of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR For =It by the Ehwerintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Moe Washington, D.C. MU - Price 1 5 cents BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS