1. Cherokee Indians

2. The Beginnings
Around 1000 AD the first Cherokee natives arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains.
They belonged to the branch of Iroquois who moved south from New England.

3. The 7 Clans
Paint
Deer
Bird
Wolf
Blue
Long Hair
Wild Potato

4. Facts Their society was based on hunting, trading, and agriculture.
In 1540, the first Europeans encountered the Cherokee Indians. Hernando de Soto led an exploration through Cherokee territory.

5. Facts
At that time in 1540, Cherokee lands included a large part of what is now the Southeastern United States.

6. Government Peace Chief & War Chief There was no absolute rule.
Democratic Process-the members voiced their concerns.

7. Family
The family was traced through the mother.

8. 18th Century European Settlers arrived. Battled in the 1760’s.
Cherokee Indians withdrew to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

9. European Influence Tools
Weapons
Customs
Cherokee Indians hunted animals for skins as well as for food.

10. Conflicts While population increased conflicts arose.
War & disease “decimated” the tribe.
Cherokee Indians were forced to sign over land to British & then to United States.

11. Early 1800’s Cherokee Indian Nation

12. Established Democratic Government
Chief
Vice – Chief
32 Council Members (elected by tribe)
Constitution & Code of Law

13. Sequoyah Contribution
1808 the Sequoyah invented system for writing.
Within 2 years almost all Cherokee Natives could read & write.

14. “Cherokee Phoenix”
Newspaper established by the Cherokee Indians

15. Removal of the Cherokee Indians
1828-Gold discovered on Cherokee land.
1830-President Andrew Jackson
1830 Removal Act-calling for Indian relocation to Oklahoma.
1838-US government forced Cherokee Indians from their homes.

16. “Trail of Tears” 4000 + Indians died from cold, hunger, and disease.
It was a 6 month journey.

17. Eastern Band Some Cherokee Indians hid in the Smoky Mountains.
1860-William Holland Thomas purchased 57,000 acres of land for the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

18. Developments in 1870 & 1889
1870-The Cherokee Indians were allowed to claim some of Western, North Carolina land.
,000 acres were chartered & is now called the Qualla Indian Reserve.
The Qualla Indian Reserve is home to about 11,000 Cherokee Indian descendants.

19. Today in the Qualla Indian Reserve
Today the Qualla boundary is held by the federal government
Trust only for Eastern Band
Less than 13,000 are enrolled as tribal members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation.