The History of the Cherokees
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
The Cherokees were once a mighty and powerful nation. At the
time when the Cherokees came into first contact with the white
man (DeSoto in 1540), they claimed 135,000 square miles of territory
covering parts of eight states; North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
By the end of the Revolution the Cherokees had lost about half
of their land. Between 1785 and 1835 the Cherokee lands has
shrunk to a few million acres. By the treaty of New Echota in
1835, all lands east of the Mississippi were ceded to the Federal
government. (Of the 40 treaties executed with the Cherokees,
the Federal government chose to break each and every one.) Under
Article 12 of this Treaty, as amended, provided that such Cherokees
as were adverse to removal could become citizens and remain
in the State of North Carolina (about 1,200).
The status of those who remained in the state was anomalous.
Their connection with the main of the Cherokee Tribe which had
removed to lands west of the Mississippi were severed. They
became subject to the laws of the State of North Carolina while
not admitted to the rights of citizenship. Any,y inter.interest
in the lands formerly held by the Tribe in North Carolina had
become divested by the Treaty and even their rights to self-government
had ended. North Carolina later granted a charter to the Cherokees
authorizing them to exercise limited powers of self-government
Pressure to force removal of this remnant of Cherokees continued.
Funds due them were withheld by the United States Government
unless they would remove to the Indian Territory or, would secure
an act of the Legislature of North Carolina permitting them
to remain permanently within the State. A statute was passed
in 1866 granting this permission.
By the purchases of an agent, the Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians had acquired the right to possession of a t,act of land
in North Carolina, and by the North Carolina Statute of 1866,
they had acquired, with the approval of the United States Government,
permission to remain in the State. Many lawsuits followed and
continued until the conveyance of title to lands of the Eastern
Band as a corporation to the United States in 1925.
Land
The lands now held in trust by the United States Government
for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians comprises 56,572.80
acres of which is scattered over five counties and consists
of 52 tracts or boundaries which are contained in 30 completely
separated bodies of land. All of the land is held in common
by the Tribe and possessory holdings are issued to individuals.
The Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians determines
the management and control of all property, real and personal,
belonging to the Band as a corporation.
Sovereignity
To be considered a reservation, a land area would have to have
been owned by the Government and set aside as a reserve for
a specific use or purpose. Lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians were never owned by the Federal Government, but, were
purchased by the Indians and are held in trust as a corporation
with the United States Government. Not belonging to the State
of North Carolina nor to the United States Government, the Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians exists in the unusual status of a sovereignty
within the United States.
Geography
For the most part, the lands are mountainous with small valleys
along the rivers and streams suitable for farming, business
and recreational sites. The elevation varies from 1,718 feet
to over 5,000 feet.
Climate
Average last frost dated April 11; average first frost dated
October 23; average rainfall 47.28 (1950-58); average temperature
54 degrees.
Population
The latest official enrollment was conducted in 1974. There
were 8,381 enrolled members with 5,550 living on Eastern Band
of Cherokee Indians lands and 2,831 residing off Eastern Band
of Cherokee Indians lands.
Government
This government consists of the Tribal Council and the Executive
Department. The Tribal Council has 12 members which are elected
for two-year terms, two coming from each of the following townships
-- Big Cove, Birdtown, Painttown, Wolftown and Yellow Hill and
one each from the Cherokee County and Graham County tracts.
The Tribal Council elects its own officers, including a chairman,
a vice-chairman, both Indian and English clerks, an interpreter,
a marshall, a messenger, a janitor and an administrative manager.
The Executive Department consists of a Principal Chief, a
Vice Chief, and an Executive Advisor. The Principal Chief and
Vice Chief are elected for four-year terms by those Tribal members
18 years of age and over. The Executive Advisor is appointed
by the Principal Chief and his appointment is confirmed by the
Tribal Council.
In exercising its numerous and complex responsibilities, the
Tribal Council relies extensively on the work of committies
ties appointed to work in specified areas. The Tribal Council
is basically a legislative body; however, their authority to
manage and control the property of the Band, also places them
in the position of carrying out judicial functions, especially
in relation to land matters.
The Executive Department also functions as an Executive Committee
under the direction of the Principal Chief. It is charged with
carrying out the rules, regulations, and other actions of the
Tribal Council and keeps the Tribal Government functioning on
a day-to-day basis.
Administration
In addition to its executive, legislative, and judicial functions,
the Tribal Government is responsible for the successful operation
of the following Tribal operations:
- OFFICES -- Tribal Administrative Office, Enrollment, Maintenance,
and the Cherokee One Feather (the official Tribal newspaper)
- CHEROKEE TRIBAL COMMUNITY SERVICES -- CTCS Administrative
Office, Police Department, Fire Department, and Sanitation
Department.
- TRIBAL ENTERPRISES -- Cherokee Tribal Water and Sewer Enterprise,
Fish and Game Management Enterprise (includes Mingo Falls
Campground), Boundary Tree Motor Court, Boundary Tree Service
Station, Boundary Tree Dining Room, Boundary Tree Restaurant
and the Qualla Civic Center.
- PROGRAMS -- Tribal Planning and Development Program, EDA
Title X, Indian Action Team, Business Development Office,
Aid to Tribal Government Program, Comprehensive Employment
and Training Act Program, Qualla Indian Boundary Projects--Office
of Native American Programs, Head Start Program, Cherokee
Follow Through Program, Tribal Health Coordination Program,
Otitis Media Program, Cherokee Mental Health and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Program, Community Health Representatives Program, and the
Medical Aide Training Program.
Operating somewhat independently but still responsive to the
Tribe and performing vital services is:
- An All Volunteer Rescue Squad
- The Qualla Housing Authority
- The Cherokee Boys Club:
- Vocational training and special education
- Employment and on-the-job training
- Recreation park
- Childrens homes (3) and d chapel
- Contract services (school bus; school lunchroom operation;
school and hospital laundry; school, agency and hospital
grounds maintenance.)
- Cherokee Action Committee for Foster Children
- Save the Children Federation
- Cherokee Activities Center for the Handicapped
- Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc.
- Indian Action Program
Health
The major health programs at Cherokee are funded through the
Indian Health Service, U. S. Public Health Service. The IHS,
USPHS provides regular out-patient clinical services, operates
a 26 bed general hospital, contract services for those Cherokees
needing surgery and other specialized care and an Environmental
Health Office. Many of the Indians still practice the old ways
of health care using herbs and formulas either self administered
or with the aid of a "Medicine Man."
Education
Education has long been the top priority for the Cherokees.
After petitioning Congress for seventeen long years, the Cherokees
now have a fine new high school which is funded and operated
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Contributions to our Student
Scholarship Fund have made it possible for a few of our Tribal
Members to attend college.
BIA
As trustee, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U. S. Department
of the Interior, maintains an Indian Agency at Cherokee. Its
purpose is to help improve the economic and social conditions
and to provide guidance in helping the Indians to help themselves.
The BIA operates the schools, improves and maintains the roads
as funds are available, operates the social welfare and extension
programs, manages the timber resources, and generally oversees
all matters relating to realty including the records, surveys,
leases, business and possessory titles.
Income
Direct Tribal income comes from the Cherokee lands through
timber stumpage receipts and the lease of Tribal lands. A five
percent Tribal sales levy is the only other main source of income.
Economy
The present economy of the Cherokee people is based on the
tourist industry which is seasonal, beginning in May and lasting
until the end of October. There are over 212 small businesses
which are primarily tourist oriented and are 63 percent Indian
operated. Two light industries "The Cherokees" and
"White Shield," and the service industry "Cherokee
Boys Club" provide year-round employment for about 300
Cherokees. A new industry, "Warrior Woodcrafts crafts"
is in its early development stages. The Cherokees are a very
industrious people. Nearly all occupy much of their time in
the works of arts and crafts which are some of the very finest
of the American Indian. They make baskets, pottery, beadwork,
finger weaving, stone carvings, and wood carvings.
Culture
Much of the old culture remains, consisting principally of
non-material elements. Most, if not all, of the Cherokees speak
or understand English, but the Cherokee language is taught in
the homes and schools. Sequoyah's syllabary which uses symbols
for sounds instead for letters or words has made it possible
for this language to be written and taught from text.
Bean Dumplings, bean bread, chestnut bread and ramps are a
few of the native foods which are still commonly eaten in Cherokee
homes. Many still cling to the ancient lore and customs. They
sing the old hymns in their own musical language. Some of the
older women wear long full dresses and a bright kerchief tied
upon their heads. Occasionally, one can see a baby tied on the
back of a Cherokee woman.
The Annual Fall Festival is the climax of the tourist season.
This occurs the first week in October. Visitors are surprised
to see the remarkable exhibits of arts, crafts and garden products.
At this time the Cherokees present the old life with bow and
arrow contests, blow gun contests, the old dances and what is
the most popular sport-Indian Ball which is similar to Lacrosse,
but really a mixture of all athletic games.
Favorite attractions consist of the festivals, the "Old
Indian Village," the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills,"
trout fishing and the newly completed Museum of the Cherokee
Indian.
