NTRO: Who Are the Cherokee? The Cherokee are one of the most well-known Indigenous peoples of North America, originally from the Southeastern Woodlands — including present-day North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Known in their own language as Aniyvwiyaʔi or Tsalagi, they refer to themselves as “the Principal People.”
📜 A Brief Historical Overview
- Ancient Origins: The Cherokee speak an Iroquoian language, and some oral traditions suggest their ancestors migrated south from the Great Lakes region. Others believe they’ve lived in the Appalachians for thousands of years.
- Mississippian Roots: Before European contact, Cherokee ancestors built platform mounds and lived in organized agricultural villages tied to the Mississippian culture.
- Colonial & U.S. Era: In the 18th and 19th centuries, they were labeled one of the “Five Civilized Tribes” for adopting aspects of European-American culture, including agriculture, permanent towns, and their own writing system developed by Sequoyah.
- Forced Removal: In the 1830s, thousands were forcibly relocated west of the Mississippi River during the Trail of Tears — a devastating chapter in Cherokee history.
- Modern Day: Today, three federally recognized Cherokee tribes exist — two based in Oklahoma and one in North Carolina. The Cherokee Nation is the largest, with over 300,000 enrolled citizens.
🏞️ The Cherokee Tribe: A Brief Overview
🔹 Who Are the Cherokee?
- One of the most prominent Indigenous peoples of North America.
- Traditionally called Aniyvwiyaʔi (“Principal People”) or Tsalagi in their own language.
- Originally settled in the Southeastern Woodlands — present-day NC, TN, GA, AL.
🧬 Origins & Ancestry
- Language: Part of the Iroquoian language family.
- Migration Theory: Oral tradition suggests ancestral migration from the Great Lakes region.
- Deep Roots: Others argue they’ve lived in the Appalachian region for thousands of years.
🏛️ Cultural Milestones
- Built platform mounds and lived in organized agricultural towns.
- Practiced farming, seasonal ceremonies, and developed rich spiritual traditions.
- Sequoyah created the Cherokee syllabary — a unique writing system — in the early 19th century.
📜 The Trail of Tears
- In the 1830s, thousands of Cherokee were forcibly relocated west of the Mississippi River.
- This devastating journey became known as the Trail of Tears.
🌎 Where Are They Today?
- Three Federally Recognized Tribes:
- Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma) — Largest, 300k+ citizens.
- United Keetoowah Band (Oklahoma) — Descendants of early Western migrants.
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (North Carolina) — Ancestors who resisted removal.
- 819,000+ people claim Cherokee ancestry in the U.S.
a lot more to come yet
