20 Images Shows Cherokee Nation History and Its Importance Today

Cherokee Nation is one of the most popular North American Native American tribes. Cherokee people have an important history. Their homeland was the southeast part of the United States today. Their land was in what are now Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. They spoke their own language, they worshipped according to their own cult, they had their own laws, their own way. The Cherokee lived in villages prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America. They built homes, grew crops, hunted for animals and traded with other Indian tribes.

Cherokee Nation History

They grew crops such as corn, beans and squash. They were very much family and community people. Older people were respected as they had information and histories to share from the past. The Cherokee were very much a part of the land, mountain, rivers, and forests that surrounded them. Cherokee had their own form of government. Leaders were involved in decision making and direction of the people. Villages were cooperating and were involved in each village. In the Cherokee culture, there was emphasis on balance, respect and responsibility.

Women had a great part in family life, in agriculture and in community decisions making. Men hunted, guarded the villages, and were members of councils. Cherokee life continued to be strong, both for men and women. The arrival of Europeans to settle changed the life of the Cherokee. Initially the Cherokee engaged in trade with Europeans. New products were given to them, and they learned about new tools. But, more people came and they wanted the land of the Cherokee. This resulted in many problems.

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Cherokee continued to fight to protect their land and their rights. They entered into treaties with the government of the United States, and numerous of these were violated. During the early 1800’s the Cherokee Nation struggled to maintain its independence. They established a written constitution and established a government. One Cherokee named Sequoyah developed a written system of Cherokee. This enabled many Cherokee to be able to read and write the language.

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The U.S. government’s efforts left the Cherokee with only part of their land. Many Cherokee were forced to relocate to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the 1830s. This is a forced journey, called the Trail of Tears. There were a lot of people who were hungry, sick, cold and sad on the trip. Thousands of Cherokees died. Cherry Blossom Time was one of the most painful times of the Cherokee history. Nowadays, the Cherokee Nation is a contemporary Native nation. Has a government, leadership, services, and programs of its own.

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