The Five Indian Culture Areas  The map shows the five Indian culture areas.  In what area can you find the Cherokee?  In the Eastern Woodland culture.

The Cherokee Lived in areas of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee Lived in areas of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee Survived off of natural resources Survived off of natural resources Lived in large villages with homes Lived in large villages with homes

Villages and Homes The Cherokee lived in houses made from twigs and branches stuck together with mud or clay. Longhouses were meeting places. Later they lived in cabins with bark roofs.

Sources of Food The Cherokee hunted small game such as deer, rabbit, and bear. Since their villages were usually near streams or lakes, they also fished using spears and nets. The Cherokee hunted small game such as deer, rabbit, and bear. Since their villages were usually near streams or lakes, they also fished using spears and nets.

Sources of Food Berries, nuts, and wild plants were important forms of food for the Cherokee. The Cherokee were considered to be excellent farmers. They had large farms which grew corns, beans, and squash. Berries, nuts, and wild plants were important forms of food for the Cherokee. The Cherokee were considered to be excellent farmers. They had large farms which grew corns, beans, and squash.

Clothing of the Cherokee The Cherokee men wore breechcloths or leggings made from animal skins. They would paint their skin and decorate it with tattoos. The Cherokee men wore breechcloths or leggings made from animal skins. They would paint their skin and decorate it with tattoos.

Clothing of the Cherokee By the 1800s Cherokee men and women were dressing like their white neighbors. By the 1800s Cherokee men and women were dressing like their white neighbors. Tah-Chee, Cherokee Chief, 1837

Clothing of the Cherokee The Cherokee women wore skirts woven from plants or made from animal skins. They would sew feathers into light capes made of netting. The Cherokee women wore skirts woven from plants or made from animal skins. They would sew feathers into light capes made of netting.

Cherokee Women Cherokee women owned all the houses and the fields, and could marry and divorce as they pleased. Kinship was determined through the mother’s line, and clan mothers administered justice. Cherokee women owned all the houses and the fields, and could marry and divorce as they pleased. Kinship was determined through the mother’s line, and clan mothers administered justice. Nanye-Hi

The Cherokee were considered one of the most civilized Indian tribes of North America. They had their own government, laws, courts, and schools. A Cherokee Indian named Sequoyah invented a written language called "Talking Leaves". It had 86 characters and was in use by The Cherokee were considered one of the most civilized Indian tribes of North America. They had their own government, laws, courts, and schools. A Cherokee Indian named Sequoyah invented a written language called "Talking Leaves". It had 86 characters and was in use by 1823.

The Cherokee Alphabet

Cherokee Removal When gold was discovered on Cherokee land in northern Georgia, miners arrived and Indian removal was suggested. When gold was discovered on Cherokee land in northern Georgia, miners arrived and Indian removal was suggested. In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to move to an area in present-day Oklahoma. In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to move to an area in present-day Oklahoma.

Cherokee Removal The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects. The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects. Driven from their homes with little time to prepare, the Cherokee faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. Driven from their homes with little time to prepare, the Cherokee faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. Over 4,000 out of 16,000 died during the 800 mile journey. Over 4,000 out of 16,000 died during the 800 mile journey.

Trail of Tears

This picture, The Trail of Tears, was painted by Robert Lindneux in It commemorates the suffering of the Cherokee people under forced removal.

The Eastern Band members, most of whom live today in North Carolina, are primarily descendants of Cherokee who did not participate in the march to Oklahoma Territory. The Eastern Band members, most of whom live today in North Carolina, are primarily descendants of Cherokee who did not participate in the march to Oklahoma Territory. Many of their ancestors survived by hiding out in the Appalachian Mountains. Many of their ancestors survived by hiding out in the Appalachian Mountains. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still practice many of the original ceremonies of the Cherokee. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still practice many of the original ceremonies of the Cherokee. Today there are about 350,000 Cherokee people, primarily in Oklahoma and North Carolina. Today there are about 350,000 Cherokee people, primarily in Oklahoma and North Carolina. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee