Origin

The Cherokee is believed to have originated in the North as part of the Iroquoian tribes. But by the time European explorers landed in the United States in the 1500's, the Cherokee had moved to the Southeast part of the United States. According to ancient archeology, the Cherokee had lived in this area for thousands of years before European contact.

Trail of Tears

During this era in the South (1500's-1838), the Cherokee continued to grow and prosper alongside the Europeans. This was considered a peaceful time between the Indians and Europeans. But during the early 1800’s, after Gold was discovered in Georgia, the American settlers decided they wanted the lands that the Cherokee had. This began the removal of the Cherokee, and in 1838, the famous “Trail of Tears” was formed. Thousands of Cherokee were herded to Oklahoma to an unknown and harsh land. Due to the conditions the Cherokee were forced to live in during the journey to Oklahoma, thousands died, hence the name “Trail of Tears”. There were Cherokee that resisted the move to Oklahoma and stayed hidden in the hills of Georgia and the surrounding countryside, who then formed a 2nd band of the Cherokee Nation.

Golden Age

During this transitional time of transplanting the Cherokee people (1838-1839), Oklahoma was considered Indian Territory. The ever resourceful people began to rebuild and formed a government, churches, businesses and other commerce from what they had learned during the years with the European Settlers. American pioneers, who lived around the Indian Territory even paid tuition to the Cherokee Nation so their children could attend the excellent school system there. This was the Golden Age of the Cherokee Nation (1838-1861).

Difficult Times Again

During the Civil War (1861-1865), even more land was taken from the Cherokee people. The Nation was overrun by both the North and the Southern Cavalry and forced to fight. This reduced their numbers once again. They were then forced to become Americans instead of an independent nation. Those that resisted ran to other sections of the south. These resistors had a period of harsh times where the Cherokee people were ostracized for their heritage by the American settlers and period of helplessness and poverty developed that caused problems for the proud people. These included alcoholism, joblessness and suicide.

Overcoming Adversity

Once again, the Cherokee Nation prevailed (1865-present) and today, there are an estimated 200,000 Cherokee where at least 70,000 still live in Oklahoma. No longer a reservation but a jurisdiction in Oklahoma the Nation owns parts of the Arkansas River as well as an estimated 66,000 acres of land in Oklahoma. They are the leaders in commerce, job availability and education.