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.
Streaming Media
- By Blood: Native American Men Fight for Cherokee CitizenshipA 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 Cherokee Word for WaterBased on the true story of the Bell Waterline Project, THE CHEROKEE WORD FOR WATER shares the struggle for, opposition to, and ultimate success of a rural Cherokee community to bring running water to their families by using the traditional concept of “gadugi “– working together to solve a problem.
- The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy"The Trail of Tears Cherokee Legacy", narrated by James Earl Jones and featuring Wes Studi (who speaks his native Cherokee in the film, with English subtitles), explores one of America's darkest periods. After the Louisiana Territory was purchased in 1803, the US Government adopted a policy to move Indians west of the Mississippi to allow for white settlers to take over the eastern lands. President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from the Carolinas and Georgia to Oklahoma in 1838-1839. Nearly a quarter of the Cherokee Nation died during the Trail of Tears, arriving in Indian Territory with few elders and even fewer children. This production has won numerous awards including a Telly Silver Award, Aurora Platinum Award, Silver World medal New York Festivals, and Best Documentary at the 2006 American Indian Film Festival.
Primary Sources & Reference Materials (Log in Required)
- History Commons (Formerly Accessible Archives) 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
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