SOUTHERN CHEROKEE TRIBE & ASSOCIATED BANDS IN TEXAS

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SOUTHERN CHEROKEE TRIBE AND ASSOCIATED BANDS IN TEXAS

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 Chicamauga Creek in Southern Tennessee were still considered hostile and became known as the Chicamaugas. 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 Lousiana. 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 chldren 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 Cheroke 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 smouldered for a time but it has never gone out. Now it is being tended with care and patience. It will burn brightly once again.

OUR TRIBE TODAY

Although our tribe is still based in Southeastern Texas we have tribal members all over Turtle Island and beyond. In keeping with our history many of our members are of other tribal heritages. We are a Hoop of Many Nations, banded together in tribal unity.

We have re-established five of the Seven Clans of the Cherokee among our People here in Texas.

The Wolf, Ani-Waya, the Bird, Ani-Tsqua, the Paint, Ani-Wodi,

the Long Hair, Ani-gilohi, and the Wild Potato, Ani-Gatogewi Clans.

Our Clan Mothers meet regularly to facilitate continuity and harmony between and within the clans; to learn and share the teachings of the clans and how to incorporate those teachings in our lives today.

We have a ceremonial ground in Bufflao and in Huntsville.

To the extent that we can we are returning to the ceremonial cycle of the Seven Sacred Ceremonies of the Cherokee People.

An Asi (Cherokee sweat lodge) at the ceremonial ground in Buffalo follows the teachings of Cherokee Elders and guides.

We hold regular Council Meetings, and we are learning new ways to "sit in council" using Grandmother Spider's web (the internet) so that the voice of ALL the people can be heard.

These meetings are open to all who want to know more about us. They are held at various locations on the second Sunday of each month at 2pm. Call

Chief Bill FishKiller Taylor at: 936-291-7646 (home) 936-581-1763 (cell) or

Second Chief Rusty Wild Flower Bates at: 281-359-4914 (See Tribal Contacts)

We have recognized Teachers and Elders to guide us.

To recover our traditions from a loss of so many years will take many small steps. With the guidance of Elders and Teachers of the Cherokee, and of the Lakota People, we are taking those steps, one step, one day at a time. We believe that each step we take binds more firmly, our yesterday, today and all tomorrows in a thread of continuity, as we walk the White Path of Peace - the Red Road.

We have soil we can walk on and be who we are.

The land is located in what is known as the last of the Piney Woods, approximately 14 miles east of Huntsville. It is under the caretakership of the

Atsila Doxie Foundation , a non-profit foundation comprised of tribal members and others who hold fast the dream and prayer that is this land. We call this precious piece of Mother Earth, NWATIYI,PLACE OF GOOD MEDICINE.

Nvwatiyi was founded on an ancient Holy site, and we hold it sacred still.