The Cherokee people are a subordinate group who experienced colonialism, meaning the European colonial settlers dominated over the Native Americans taking what resources they could from them. This ultimately resulted in expulsion where the colonist forced the Cherokee along with other Native Americans from their native lands and put them on reservations. The most famous account of this was the Cherokee’s Trail of Tears that took place from 1838-1839 where according to the Cherokee Trail of Tears time line “July 1838 Over 13,000 Cherokees imprisoned in military stockades awaiting break in drought. Approximately 1500 die in confinement.” began the march. The remaining Cherokee were then forced to march from their native lands in the South East to reservations in the West. Below is a journal entry from one of the survivors of the Cherokee tribe from North Carolina while on the march to the west. The quotation at the beginning is a quote from an actual survivor. The rest is fictional but based in fact source noted below.
(Recollections of a survivor)"Long time we travel on way to new land. People feel bad when they leave Old Nation. Women cry and make sad wails, Children cry and many men cry...but they say nothing and just put heads down and keep on go towards West. Many days pass and people die very much." My father he get sick and die, then my mother she die and five brothers. All die, each day one die. There no game to hunt and feed people. Men, women go hungry. Give what food could find to children. Heavy rains and rivers full of ice make way hard to travel. Each morning we are told how far we must walk and which way to go. Each night we make camp and try to find what we can to eat. Hunters go out and bring back what they can. White man give us corn to make bread. Long last we arrive in new land my people once many now so few. Hard to go on when lost family. It will take long time to rebuild New Nation. New Chief of people made. Chief John Ross, he name land Oklahoma. This is where we will live now
References
The Cherokee Trail of Tears Time line 1838-1839, Rose Society Net Retrieved June, 7
2006 from www.rosecity.net/tears/trail/timeline.html
Recollections of a survivor, The Cherokee Trail of Tears, Rose Society Net Retrieved
June, 7 2006 from www.rosecity.net/tears/trail/timeline.html
by Tammy Knott on Jul 14 (Column)
A current issue between Native Americans and the federal government that I find key is the Trust Reform Act. Legislation connected with the Trust Reform as described in the text of United States Senator of South Dakota, Tim Johnson News release is entitled “The McCain-Daschle-Johnson Trust Reform bill, or American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act Amendments Act of 2003.”
The Trust Reform issue is one that deals with lands that were held in trust by the United States on behalf of Native Americans. According to National Congress of American Indians website; they were asked to set for principles for the federal government to draft legislation for this issue. The issue is that the US government has not been managing the trust properly and legislation had to be drafted to set forth principles and guidelines to regulate effectiveness of the US government. According to United States Senator of South Dakota, Tim Johnson News release the legislation is a set of: “…guidelines and regulations meant to restore accountability and efficiency to trust management.” The need for this legislation is so that Tribal members can have more say so in dealings with their land and to make sure that the US holds to what they were intended to do. This also is to incorporate new rulings and laws that had been passed since the Trust was initiated. (United States Senator of South Dakota, Tim Johnson News release 2003)
Fischer, J., Daschle, Johnson Introduce New Indian Trust Reform Legislation., United States Senator of South Dakota, Tim Johnson News release. July 25, 2003 Retrieved July 14, 2006 From johnson.senate.gov/~johnson/releases/200307/2003806A46.html
Trust Reform and Cobell Settlement Workgroup Principles for Legislation., National Congress of American Indians. 2001-2006, Retrieved July 14, 2006 from https://www.ncai.org/Trust_Reform.90.0.html
The Great Bird is flying from Mother Earth Womb.
To let the world know of the doom it will be in soon.
The corrupted violent and the drugs with the killing that goes with it.
The storm that brews around the world only leaves us homeless and destructive.
The water of the rains, mudslide and lave from the Volcano.
The Hurricane and tornado of wind that blow so fierce.
The Fire of many forest burning the forest of all the animals killed.
This is not the way the Great Spirit wanted this to be.
For he believe in Peace and serenity.
Now listen to me as I tell another story,
Noah’s Ark does that ring a bell?
All the animals weren’t allowed to be save only two of each.
Only Noah’s families were saved.
The boat was not damage and it floated for forty days and nights.
While the Mother Earth flooded with water, winds, and lava and fires.
Just like the bible this is happening again.
Why?
Long ago in the biblical day the bible was the only book of poetry to be readied.
Now the book is being repeated by me.
Listen to the wind blows as the storms brew.
Listen to the rain as it falls like bucket being thrown out.
Listen to the crackle of the fire burning the forest.
Listen and watch as the animals run for safety.
Listen to the people you are around.
Listen closely.
Why is all this happening to us?
Why in God name?
Where are we going to go when this is done?
Our homes, our lives will never be the same.
Oh my god in heaven forgives us for we pray.
We didn’t realize how wrong we did not believe in you.
Listen to the little ones cry out because of no food or clothing.
Listen my People!
Listen to my words.
Listen to the heart beat of each child, man and woman, but also listen to the animals wondering in the yard.
Listen to your stomach as you try to find food to eat.
My brother and sister of the seven nations.
Our land will be our once again.
The bible told us so. When the flood and storms, with the wind and fires.
No food for forty days and night.
We the people of the seven nations know why the Great Phoenix Bird has risen into the sky.
Written by
Morningstar is Sparrowhawk speak Sunrise Walk with Bear
Also as
Sondra Sue Kelly - Stanford
Additional Info
groups.yahoo.com/group/beautifulvision2002 Cooking Site