Cherokee IndiansCherokee Indians

The Beginnings The Beginnings

►Around 1000 AD the first Cherokee Around 1000 AD the first Cherokee natives arrived in the Great Smoky natives arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains.Mountains.

►They belonged to the branch of They belonged to the branch of Iroquois who moved south from New Iroquois who moved south from New England.England.

The 7 ClansThe 7 Clans

PaintPaint DeerDeer BirdBird WolfWolf BlueBlue Long HairLong Hair Wild PotatoWild Potato

FactsFacts

►Their society was based on hunting, Their society was based on hunting, trading, and agriculture.trading, and agriculture.

► In 1540, the first Europeans In 1540, the first Europeans encountered the Cherokee Indians. encountered the Cherokee Indians. Hernando de Soto led an exploration Hernando de Soto led an exploration through Cherokee territory.through Cherokee territory.

FactsFacts

►At that time in 1540, Cherokee lands At that time in 1540, Cherokee lands included a large part of what is now included a large part of what is now the Southeastern United States.the Southeastern United States.

GovernmentGovernment

►Peace Chief & War ChiefPeace Chief & War Chief

►There was no absolute rule.There was no absolute rule.

►Democratic Process-the members Democratic Process-the members voiced their concerns.voiced their concerns.

FamilyFamily

►The family was traced through the The family was traced through the mother.mother.

1818thth Century Century

►European Settlers arrived.European Settlers arrived.►Battled in the 1760’s.Battled in the 1760’s.►Cherokee Indians withdrew to the Blue Cherokee Indians withdrew to the Blue

Ridge Mountains.Ridge Mountains.

European Influence ToolsEuropean Influence Tools

►WeaponsWeapons►CustomsCustoms►Cherokee Indians hunted animals for Cherokee Indians hunted animals for

skins as well as for food.skins as well as for food.

ConflictsConflicts

►While population increased conflicts While population increased conflicts arose. arose.

►War & disease “decimated” the tribe.War & disease “decimated” the tribe.►Cherokee Indians were forced to sign Cherokee Indians were forced to sign

over land to British & then to United over land to British & then to United States.States.

Early 1800’s Cherokee Indian Early 1800’s Cherokee Indian NationNation

Established Democratic Established Democratic GovernmentGovernment

►ChiefChief►Vice – ChiefVice – Chief►32 Council Members (elected by tribe)32 Council Members (elected by tribe)►Constitution & Code of LawConstitution & Code of Law

Sequoyah ContributionSequoyah Contribution

►1808 the Sequoyah invented system 1808 the Sequoyah invented system for writing.for writing.

►Within 2 years almost all Cherokee Within 2 years almost all Cherokee Natives could read & write.Natives could read & write.

““Cherokee Phoenix”Cherokee Phoenix”

►Newspaper established by the Newspaper established by the Cherokee IndiansCherokee Indians

Removal of the Cherokee Removal of the Cherokee IndiansIndians

►1828-Gold discovered on Cherokee 1828-Gold discovered on Cherokee land.land.

►1830-President Andrew Jackson1830-President Andrew Jackson 1830 Removal Act-calling for Indian 1830 Removal Act-calling for Indian

relocation to Oklahoma.relocation to Oklahoma.

►1838-US government forced Cherokee 1838-US government forced Cherokee Indians from their homes.Indians from their homes.

““Trail of Tears”Trail of Tears”

►4000 + Indians died from cold, hunger, 4000 + Indians died from cold, hunger, and disease.and disease.

► It was a 6 month journey.It was a 6 month journey.

Eastern BandEastern Band

►Some Cherokee Indians hid in the Some Cherokee Indians hid in the Smoky Mountains.Smoky Mountains.

►1860-William Holland Thomas 1860-William Holland Thomas purchased 57,000 acres of land for the purchased 57,000 acres of land for the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Developments in 1870 & Developments in 1870 & 18891889

►1870-The Cherokee Indians were 1870-The Cherokee Indians were allowed to claim some of Western, allowed to claim some of Western, North Carolina land.North Carolina land.

►1889- 56,000 acres were chartered & 1889- 56,000 acres were chartered & is now called the is now called the Qualla Indian Qualla Indian ReserveReserve.. The Qualla Indian Reserve is home to The Qualla Indian Reserve is home to

about 11,000 Cherokee Indian about 11,000 Cherokee Indian descendants. descendants.

Today in the Qualla Indian Today in the Qualla Indian ReserveReserve

►Today the Qualla boundary is held by Today the Qualla boundary is held by the federal governmentthe federal government

►Trust only for Eastern BandTrust only for Eastern Band►Less than 13,000 are enrolled as tribal Less than 13,000 are enrolled as tribal

members of the Eastern Band of the members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee Nation.