Cherokee Students to Cycle the historic Trail of Tears

On Wednesday, June 2, 2010 a group of ten Cherokee students from small communities throughout Oklahoma will cycle their way through the historic Trail of Tears. The group will be riding from the original Cherokee homelands Georgia and ending in Tahlequah, Okla., the capitol of the Cherokee Nation. This is the third such ride to be sponsored by the tribe, with the original ride first completed in 1984 and a very successful 25th anniversary ride held last year.

Along their journey students will be learning their own family history, as well as, the Cherokee history along the way. The riders will make stops along the way at specific points of interest from the Trail of Tears and will be provided with relevant history lessons to help make connections between the past and what the riders are currently experiencing.
The Trail of Tears of the Cherokees took place over the winter months of 1838 through 1839. An estimated 16,000 Cherokees were forced at gunpoint to remove themselves and their families from their homes, farms and communities. After being held in federal stockades until deep winter, they were subsequently herded on overland and water routes that moved through territories that represent the present-day states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. More than four thousand Cherokees died along the various routes from the harsh conditions of the crossing.

For more info go to: http://remembertheremoval.cherokee.org/

http://testdnn.cherokee.org/MAP/tabid/2203/Default.aspx

Other Trail Of Tears Events

The Annual Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride began in 1994 by Bill Cason to mark one of the trails used during the 1838 removal of Native Americans from their homelands in the Southeast to Oklahoma. The ride started at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, TN with eight riders and ended with 100 riders in Waterloo, AL. TOTRAI's ride has now grown to over 150,000 riders, making it the largest organized motorcycle ride in the world.

Every 3rd day Of September

http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org/

Government and Politics since 1947

Changes to Federal Indian Policy

In 1947, the Hoover commission on postwar governmental reorganization recommended that American Indians be integrated into U.S. society at large "as full, tax-paying citizens." In 1953 this had become the official "Indian policy" of the government. In essence, it marked an end to the special relationship between American Indian tribes and the federal government, and an end to the treaty obligations of the U.S. In the words of proponents of this policy, it was to be "an end to the Indian problem."

By 1970, there had been a sea change in the federal government. President Nixon declared that the termination policy had been a

failure and that the Congress should strike it down and reaffirm the special relationship between the federal government and the American Indian tribes. Later that year, Congress passed a law that declared that the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, among other tribes, would be able to be democratically elect their own chief, as opposed to it being appointed by the President.

Elections

Thus, in 1971, elections were held for the position of Principal Chief -- the first elections since before Oklahoma statehood in 1907. W.W. Keeler, an oil company executive and holder of the office since being appointed by President Truman in 1949, was elected by a landslide. Keeler chose not to run for reelection in 1975, however, after he and his oil company, Phillips, were found guilty of making illegal campaign contributions to President Nixon. His hand-picked candidate, though, Ross Swimmer, carried Keeler's legacy forward and oversaw the adoption of a new constitution. He would serve three terms until 1985.

A New Constitution

Later that same year, the new constitution was drafted to supercede the one that was previously established in 1839 after the Cherokee had completed their forced relocation to "Indian Territory." This new constitution was ratified by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in 1976, and it received recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The most important provisions of the new constitution called for recurring elections for Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief, and a tribal council (composed of fifteen members) every four years. Additionally, a judicial tribunal made up of three members was established as the highest court of the Cherokee Nation.

Mankiller's Leadership

After confirming her leadership and experience in a series of positions within the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller was elected as Deputy Principal Chief alongside incumbent Principal Chief Swimmer in 1983. As she noted, the two were an odd match: "He was a Republican banker with a very conservative viewpoint, and I was a Democratic social worker and community planner who had worked for Indian civil and treaty rights." The two would not serve together long, however, as Swimmer accepted a position in the administration of President Reagan and Mankiller acceded to the seat of Principal Chief.

During her tenure as the Cherokee Nation's first female Principal Chief, Mankiller oversaw a series of important developments. In 1990, she signed an agreement of self-governance that authorized the Cherokee Nation to have control over funds previously administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She also reformed the justice department of the Cherokee Nation and created a tribal prosecutor. That same year, the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction on Indian lands. Additionally, a new tax was imposed on all tobacco products sold by shop owners which provided new revenue for the Nation.

In 1995, Mankiller declined to seek reelection and passed the reins to Joe Byrd after an exceedingly contentious election campaign. After a tumultuous term in office marked by legal disputes and charges of corruption, Chad "Corntassel" Smith became Principal Chief and continues to the present day.

References

Conley, Robert. The Cherokee Nation: A History. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2005.

Gaming

1990 –

• The Cherokee Nation Entertainment began operating as a Cherokee Bingo Outpost in Roland, Okla., with 83 employees. Later the property would become Cherokee Casino Roland and two more casinos in Tulsa and West Siloam Springs would follow.
  

2004 –

• Cherokee Casino Resort was the first casino-hotel resort destination in Oklahoma.

2006-

• By 2006 there were a total of 7 casinos in Cherokee communities.

2008 –

• On the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, the Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs went through a $125 million expansion.

2009 –

• The Cherokee Nation and its businesses employ nearly 8,000 people.

• The Cherokee Casino Resort became the first Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Oklahoma and the seventh Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in the world.

2010 –

• By 2010, an eight-story luxury hotel is expected to be complete.

Chad "Corntassel" Smith - Principal Chief

Chief Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Georgia; Master's degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin and a Juris Doctorate, Law, from the University of Tulsa.

Highly respected as Indian legal scholar, Chief Smith has fought for tribal sovereignty and stood up for Indian rights for the last 15 years. He has consistently donated his time as a practicing attorney to helping tribal elders, children and families.

Smith has a strong background in Indian law filled with test cases designed to protect and expand the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation. These cases encompass Indian Child Welfare, hunting and fishing rights; Indian country jurisdiction and many other issues important to tribal sovereignty.

Dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for Cherokee people, Chief Smith places priorities on tribal and individual self-sufficiency, elderly care services, better quality health care and education. He and his administration continue to focus on three essential initiatives: jobs, language and community.

Joe Grayson, Jr.- Deputy Principal Chief

Joe Grayson , Jr. is a highly decorated veteran, having served his country in the United States Army, 4 th Infantry Division in Vietnam .

Grayson , Jr., was born and raised in Cherokee County where he and his wife Gwen make their home. Gwen and Joe have both been actively involved in community service, volunteering for a number of organizations, including Help-In-Crisis and the Cherokee Heritage Center . Together they have five children, Joe III, Grant, Aaron, Stuart and Mary-Charlotte.

His special initiatives during his term as Deputy Principal Chief include:

Instituted the Cherokee National Medal of Patriotism.

Initiated the construction and establishment of a Cherokee Warrior Memorial and expanded services to native veterans.

Supported and expanded community based self help construction for housing, community buildings and utilities.

Launched the Cherokee National Park System.

Installed community groups to protect and restore historic sites and buildings.

Initiated and supported expanded services for scholarship and training in vocational education and construction trades

Law and Law Enforcement

In the aftermath of the move west into Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation created a new constitution which divided its government into three sections like the government of the United States. As part of this partition, the Cherokee Supreme Court and District Courts were created. However, the Curtis Act of 1898 abolished all tribal courts and stripped the authority of court officials.

In 1986, a Cherokee tribal member was shot in the leg and arrested by a deputy in Adair County, Oklahoma. Subsequently, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 1990 that without a grant of authority from Congress or the consent of the tribe itself, Oklahoma law enforcement officers have no criminal jurisdiction within the Cherokee Nation, unless the crime is committed by a non-Indian against another non-Indian or a victimless crime by a non-Indian. This led to the re-establishment of the District Court and the establishment of the Marshal Service, the "tribal police" of the Cherokee nation.

In 1997, the Cherokee justice system was embroiled in a crisis which seriously destabilized the Cherokee Nation. In May 1997, Joe Byrd, the Principal Chief, became locked in a battle of strength with the judicial branch of the Cherokee tribe. The crisis came to a dramatic head on March 22, 1997, when Byrd, stated in a press conference that he would decide which orders of the Cherokee Nation’s Supreme Court were lawful and which were not. A simmering crisis continued over Byrd's creation of a private, armed paramilitary force. The crisis came to a head on June 20, 1997 when his private army illegally seized custody of the Cherokee Nation Courthouse from its legal caretakers and occupants, the Cherokee Nation Marshals, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal and its court clerks. They ousted the lawful occupants at gunpoint. Immediately the court demanded that the courthouse be returned to the judicial branch of the Cherokee Nation, but these requests were ignored by Byrd. The Federal authorities of the United States initially refused to intervene because of potential breach of tribal sovereignty. The State of Oklahoma recognized that Byrd's activities were breaches in state law. By August it sent in state troopers and specialist anti-terrorist teams. Byrd was required to attend a meeting in Washington DC with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in which he was compelled to reopen the courts. He served the remainder of his elected term under supervision and remains a free man, and in 1999 lost a bid for re-election to Chad Smith.

The District Court handles cases in civil, criminal, and juvenile realms. The 5 justices of the Supreme Court handles appeals cases and certain other cases of jurisdiction. There are approximately 35 Marshals that work and live within the 14 counties of Cherokee justice system jurisdiction.

Issues of particular concern within the Cherokee Nation include high drug and alcoholism rates (and the violence which goes with them) and domestic abuse. The Marshal Service is particularly focused on aiding victims of domestic abuse and has close ties to the Oklahoma Native American Domestic Abuse Coalition.

Economic Development

• After the Trail of Tears ended, the Cherokee Nation soon began to rebuild itself in its new homeland, developing schools, colleges, churches, businesses and the first newspaper in Indian Territory.

• The years between the removal and the 1860s were called the "Cherokee Golden Age”, a period of prosperity for the tribe.

• 1990 -
  
• The Cherokee Nation Entertainment began operating as a Cherokee Bingo Outpost in Roland, Okla., with 83 employees.
  
• Later the property would become Cherokee Casino Roland and two more casinos in Tulsa and West Siloam Springs would follow.
  
• By 2006, they had a total of 7 casinos in Cherokee communities.

• The Cherokee Nation now operates several successful business enterprises, encompassing multiple industries, including aerospace manufacturing, construction, environmental services and professional services.

• 2009 - The CNE is the retail, gaming, entertainment, hospitality and cultural tourism entity of the Cherokee Nation. CNE operates:

• 7 casinos in northeastern Oklahoma
• Cherokee Travel Plaza
• 2 Cherokee Outpost convenience stores
• 6 retail tobacco shops
• 4 gift shops
• 2 golf courses
• A horse racing facility
• 3 hotels

• Today –

• CNE’s total revenue has reached $441.2 million and employs more than 3,400 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.

• For the past two years, CNE has been voted the number one company to work for in Oklahoma by Oklahoma magazine.

• 100 percent of the profit benefits the Cherokee Nation.

• CNE has contributed more than $57.6 million, nearly $19 million in 2008 alone, to the state of Oklahoma for public education and horse racing industry as a part of the 2004 gaming compact.

Present Day Cherokee Nation

A Brief Outline of Western Cherokee History

Below is a (very) brief outline of the History of the Western Band of Cherokee Indians. It focuses mainly on the key events that lead to the make-up of Cherokee Nation as it is known today. More to come shortly.


Movements West

• Early 19th century; White encroachment of South East leads some Cherokee to move westward
• A group know as "The Old Settlers" move to land allotted to them (by the federal government) in Arkansas
• They would later be moved further west as part of the Indian Removal Act
• Indian Removal Act of 1830
• Signed by President Andrew Jackson, May 26, 1830
• Tensions in the South (particularly Georgia) between Whites and Indians had reached insurmountable levels
• Signing of the treaty of New Echota by a minority of Cherokees legitimized the removal of the tribe for the U.S.
• Most Cherokees contested treaty
• Cherokee were to be relocated to "Indian Territory" in presen day Oklahoma
• By 1838 nearly 20,000 Cherokees had been displaced
• Trail of Tears
• An estimated 4,000 Cherokees died in the journey west. Contributors to death included hunger, exposure and disease
• Journey lasted more than 1,000 miles

A New Beginning

• In Oklahoma, Cherokee develop a new Democratic form of government and society
• Construction of new territory included churches, schools, buisnesses and a newspaper
• Newspaper; Cherokee Advocate established and printed in both English and Cherokee
• Became first newspaper available in a Native American language
• Tahlequah established as capitol of Cherokee Nation
• Civil War
• Cherokee were persuaded at one point to side with the Confederacy
• As a result, after the war more territory is taken from them
• Remaining land was then divided into allotments and distributed to individuals registered with the US census as compiled by the Dawe's Commission

Today

• Cherokee Nation is the second largest Native American tribe in the United States
• Contains over 200,000 tribal members
• 70,000 of which reside in Cherokee Nation proper located in North Eastern Oklahoma
• The area is not considered a reservation but a "jurisdictional service area"