THE CHEROKEES

THE CHEROKEES

The Cherokee National Seal

Copywrited © and Permission granted by

The Cherokee National Seal contains many elements from the Cherokee Nation. The seven pointed star in the center represents the seven clans, the point of the star points down because no one clan is more important that the others.

The year 1839 is the year the constitution was drawn following the Trail of Tears. Cherokee Nation is written on the Seal in both English and Cherokee.

The two Eagle feathers have been added by the artist, to symbolize the strength and courage of the Cherokee people.

TRAIL OF TEARS

The Treaty of New Enchota of 1835 awarded the Cherokee seven million acres in northeastern Oklahoma, the Cherokee Strip, and in Kansas. But the Cherokee did not want to move. The United States government, committed to removal, sent General Winfield Scott with seven thousand troops in 1838 to round up the dejected Cherokee.

John Ross, a Cherokee, urged that the "migration" be delayed until autumn. Many of his people, he said, would die on the march in the heat of the summer. He suggested that the Cherokee themselves direct the move, and General Scott agreed. Organized in bands of about a thousand, under two able leaders, the Cherokee began to withdraw from their old haunts. On foot, in wagons, and on horseback, thirteen thousand men, women, and children moved into Tennessee and Kentucky. They crossed the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. On March 26, 1839, the last of their number arrived in Indian Territory. An estimated 4,000 died from hunger, exposure and disease. The journey became an eternal memory as the "trail where they cried" for the Cherokees and other removed tribes. Today it is remembered as the "Trail of Tears".

Map of The Trail of Tears

The Cherokee Rose

LEGEND OF THE CHEROKEE ROSE "When gold was found in Georgia,
the government forgot its treaties
and drove the Cherokees to Oklahoma.
One fourth of them died on the journey west.
But God, looking down from heaven,
decided to commemorate the brave Cherokees
and so, as the blood of the braves
and the tears of the maidens dropped to the ground,
he turned them into stone in the shape of a Cherokee Rose.

This is why they are so plentiful in Oklahoma,
the end of the Trail of Tears."

The State Flower of Georgia is also named "Cherokee Rose."

The Rose Rock is Oklahoma's State Rock...

The Vision
I climb the highest mountain, to stand in awe and pray, to seek the Holy wisdom that guides our weary way. I raised my hands, though empty, to Him who made all things, what could I hope to offer, I, least of human beings. "Oh GREAT SPIRIT," I cried, with small and feeble words, "Where are the deer and buffalo, which roamed in mighty herds.

Why are my people sad, and alone they seem to be, with heavy hearts and tear filled eyes as only You can see?" "Where are the chiefs, the council fires, the things we hold so dear, and who are the ones to lead us", I asked in awesome fear. What did we do, how did we speak, how did we err this way, and who is to blame for the trail of tears, we all have walked this day?"

I lowered my hands and bowed my head, my prayer was at an end, then a voice of thundering majesty was heard upon the wind. This vision made me tremble, and filled my heart with fear, the Voice of Many Waters spoke, sweet, plain and clear.

"My son, I AM He you seek; the one who made all things, The ONE who made the forest; and all the human beings. I made the towering mountains, the deserts and the seas; I made the deer and buffalo, and even little bees. I've heard your voice, your heart felt plea; I've seen your upraised hands, and I've heard the voice of many sons, of different tribes and bands".

"I give you now the reason for all your woes and fears, and why my sons and daughters have walked their trail of tears; I sent you Truth and Beauty, with wisdom from above; I gave you great abundance, with all My boundless love.

Your fathers had soon forgotten, my wisdom and my way; they took to greed and fighting, my words they disobeyed. Their sons and daughters also, learned after many years, distrust, war, and hatred, they learned to live in fear.

Then strangers came to this fair land, with wisdom from above, but after many winter snows, they too had lost their love. My son this is the reason for all your fears and woes; for all your pain and misery; and, for your many foes.

Hear well my good instruction, My wisdom from above, turn from your selfish hatred, and fill your hearts with love. The voice of GOD had spoken, HIS words were straight and true; the task was set before me to change my heart anew.

I now descend the mountain, a new and different man, to tell this vision story, to every tribe and band. Let peace come into each mans heart, with wisdom from above, to guide us to our final place, filled with eternal love.

Copywrited © and Permission granted by Chief Tom Thunderhorse

A MILE IN HIS MOCCASINS

Copywrited © and Permission granted

A Redskin Departure by J. Dog
I must leave the Georgia valleys,
where the laughing waters run.
I must leave the silent forest,
I must find the setting sun.
No 'pale face' knows the sorrow,
that fills a red man's heart.
And none shall know how my soul cries,
When I, in my moccasins, depart.
Perhaps again my arrow will find the buffalo;
Once more the brave may find the warpath,
May vanquish the hostile foe.
The rising sun will call me,
And I shall say farewell,
to journey to the west,
for in the west I am forced to dwell.
And none who sees me going shall sense my soul's unrest,
Unless, perhaps, some other 'redskin' too, is being pushed west.
Permission granted by J. Dog

I Love Getting E-Mail!

Norma's Place	My Biography	Angel Gallery
On Angel Wings	Native American	Sharing And Caring
Links Page	Country Music	Awards Page

Click here to go to Rings Reference Page

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page