The Cherokee Nation: A History

Description

The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest and most important of all the American Indian tribes. The first history of the Cherokees to appear in over four decades, this is also the first to be endorsed by the tribe and the first to be written by a Cherokee. Robert Conley begins his survey with Cherokee origin myths and legends. He then explores their relations with neighboring Indian groups and European missionaries and settlers. He traces their forced migrations west, relates their participations on both sides of the Civil War and the wars of the twentieth century, and concludes with an examination of Cherokee life today. Conley provides analyses for general readers of all ages to learn the significance of tribal lore and Cherokee tribal law. Following the history is a listing of the Principal Chiefs of the Cherokees with a brief biography of each and separate listings of the chiefs of the Eastern Cherokees and the Western Cherokees. For those who want to know more about Cherokee heritage and history, Conley offers additional reading lists at the end of each chapter. Page 1 Cherokee Historical Novels Acknowledgments Chapter I: Theories and Legends Chapter II: Early Invasions Chapter III: Beginnings of Central Government Chapter IV: Visits Back and Forth Chapter V: “What Nation or People Am I Afraid Of?” Chapter VI: “Let Him be Wary.” Chapter VII: “President of the Nation” Chapter VIII: “I Have My Young Warriors around Me” Chapter IX: “Our Cry Is All for Peace.” Chapter X: “A Pipe and a Little Tobacco” Chapter XI: “Perpetual Friendship” Chapter XII: Tecumseh and Red Eagle Chapter XIII: Five Treaties in Three Years Chapter XIV: Many Changes Taking Place Chapter XV: “The Cherokee Are Not Foreigners” Chapter XVI: The Treaty of New Echota Chapter XVII: “Living upon the Roots and Sap of Trees” Chapter XVIII: Hundreds of Babies Died Chapter XIX: Killings on Both Sides Chapter XX: The Golden Age Chapter XXI: Confederates and Pins Chapter XXII: Indian Territory Chapter XXIII: Jurisdictional Confusion Chapter XXIV: The Dawes Commission and Redbird Smith Chapter XXV: Oklahoma Chapter XXVI: World War II Chapter XXVII: Renaissance Chapter XXVIII: Self-Determination Chapter XXIX: The First Woman Chief Chapter XXX: “What Do They Want with This Old Building?” Chapter XXXI: “What Greater Gift Can We Give Our Children?” Appendices Index