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Who We Are
We are the Cherokee in Texas before Texas fought for independence. In the
late 1700's many Cherokee and other tribes began migrating to Texas in an effort
to maintain their traditions, language and identity. A group of Cherokee that
had settled on the Chickamauga Creek in Southern Tennessee were still considered
hostile and became known as the Chickamauga's. They eventually made their way to
Arkansas where they stayed until around 1817, when they made their way to what
is now known as East Texas. There the Cherokee and other displaced tribes banded
together under the leadership of the Cherokee Chief, known as "The Bowl" or
Chief Duwali. Together, they became known as the Southern Cherokee and
Associated Bands.
Although a treaty was made with Mexico, it was never ratified because Mexico was
in the middle of a civil war. Chief Duwali signed a treaty with Sam Houston, the
President of the Republic of Texas, but this too failed to be ratified by the
Texas Senate. During the term of office of the second President of the Republic
of Texas, M.B. LaMar, the Texas Army was sent to East Texas to "Get rid of the
Indians Forever!" In the massacre of 1839, Chief Duwali was killed and the Bands
scattered to Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana. There were some, however, who did
not leave but rather hid out in the deep woods and eventually settled in
different parts of Texas.
The children of those families are still here, and the children of many of those
who left are returning. They are coming out of hiding; actively pursuing their
language, traditions; their very identity. WE are those children. And we are
being joined by others seeking to reclaim, relearn and live their heritage,
their traditions. We were and still are The Southern Cherokee Tribe and
Associated Bands in Texas. Osda!
Our Focus
Our focus is to build on the ashes of the past; to relearn how to speak our
language, to sing our songs, to live our prayers, to discover what it means to
be traditional Cherokee living in this day and time so that our children and
their children's children can live in a healthy, balanced, harmonious way.
We, like so many others, are the result of generations of family dysfunction;
dysfunction born out of the loss of family and clan connections, language,
traditions, and ones very identity. Understanding this, our focus is also one of
personal and tribal healing - healing for ourselves and for future generations.
We believe that as we learn to walk our traditional path, THE WHITE PATH OF
PEACE AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIP, we will find that healing.
We are a people with a long written history and we are continuing to pursue
official recognition. The Fire of the Cherokee People in Texas may have
smoldered for a time but it has never gone out. Now it is being tended with care
and patience. It will burn brightly once again.
Native
American 10 Commandments
The Earth is our mother care for her honor all your relations
Open your heart and soul to the great spirit
All life is sacred treat all beings with respect
Take from the earth what is needed and nothing more
Do what needs to be done for the good of all
Give constant thanks to the great spirit for each new day
Speak the truth but only of the good in others
Follow the rhythms of nature rise and retire with the sun
Enjoy life's journey but leave no tracks
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