Internet Resources & Links
- Cherokee NationThe Cherokee Nation is a sovereign tribal government. Upon settling in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) after the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee people established a new government in what is now the city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A constitution was adopted on September 6, 1839, 68 years prior to Oklahoma’s statehood.
- Cherokee AncestoryAbout 200 years ago the Cherokee Indians were one tribe, or "Indian Nation" that lived in the southeast part of what is now the United States. During the 1830's and 1840's, the period covered by the Indian Removal Act, many Cherokees were moved west to a territory that is now the State of Oklahoma. A number remained in the southeast and gathered in North Carolina where they purchased land and continued to live. Others went into the Appalachian Mountains to escape being moved west and many of their descendants may still live there now.
- Visit Cherokee Nation: YouTube PageDedicated to telling the story of the rich history of Cherokee people, Cherokee Nation offers various cultural sites and attractions that allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of historical Cherokees and walk the paths they traveled more than a century ago.
Lanugage
The Cherokee language is considered a Class IV language in its degree of difficulty. It is spoken fluently by an estimated 2,000 people worldwide today, with several thousand more being considered beginner or proficient speakers.
The Cherokee syllabary is the written form of the language. It is not an alphabet, but instead contains 85 distinct characters that represent the full spectrum of sounds used to speak Cherokee – one character for each discrete syllable.
*Source: https://language.cherokee.org/
Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GyDd0uf0QE
- Cherokee LanguageThe Cherokee Nation is committed to preserving and growing the Cherokee language in both spoken and written forms. Explore the language, locate classes, and view learning materials and resources.
By Blood (Log in Required)
A chronicle of American Indians of African descent battling to regain their tribal citizenship. BY BLOOD explores the impact of this battle, which has manifested into a broader conflict about race, identity, and the sovereign rights of indigenous people.
The film demonstrates both sides of the battle, the shared emotional impact of the issue, and the rising urgency of the debate: a Native American and African American history has been overlooked, and a tribal body feels as though their sovereignty is under siege.
Primary Sources & Reference Materials (Log in Required)
- Accessible Archives This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
This database includes primary sources from 18th and 19 century America. A search for Cherokee Indians reveals a large number of primary sources. - American History, 1493-1945 This link opens in a new window
This database features many primary sources, including handwritten documents, correspondence, and images from the Cherokee Nation. Use the Advance Search feature to locate these original documents.
- Credo Reference: CherokeeAccess the Credo Reference landing page for the Cherokee Nation. This page includes links to library materials, a mind map, and more.
Perspectives
The Cherokees and Their Chiefs: In the Wake of Empire
In this newly researched and synthesized history of the Cherokees, Hoig traces the displacement of the tribe and the Trail of Tears, the great trauma of the civil War, the destruction of tribal autonomy, and the Cherokee people's phoenix-like rise in political and social stature during the twentieth century.
Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet
Sequoyah's greatest achievement was the invention of a method for his people to write and read their own language. This great leader was celebrated not as a warrior, but as a man of ideas. Today, a statue of Sequoyah stands in the Capitol building in Washington D.C. He is a truly outstanding example of an Indian who made his mark on history.
The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy
Introduction -- Pre-1800's -- Sequoyah/the phoenix -- Cherokee government -- Jackson's policies -- Eve of removal -- Tradgedy [i.e. tragedy] of removal -- Removal camps -- Life on the trail -- Tradgedy [i.e. tragedy] of the trail -- Aftermath.
A look at the forced relocation of Cherokee tribes by the United States government from their ancestral homelands (throughout the South) to Indian Territory (in present-day Oklahoma) from 1838-1839.
Interactive Map
Click the image below to explore the interactive Cherokee Nation map.
Source: https://vmgis4.cherokee.org/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d890e55c04c04c31a658301f9d020521