MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
The next Annual Pow Wow and Cultural Gathering will be June 17, 18, and 19, 2022.
The next Annual Pow Wow and Cultural Gathering will be June 17, 18, and 19, 2022.
LETTER TO ALL NORTHERN CHEROKEE NATION TRIBAL CITIZENS
from
Gray Fox, Chief Elder
Osiyo Tribal Citizens,
I recently have been thinking about a situation I would like to discuss with you. Specifically, I think many of us have unknowingly developed a defensive attitude about our tribal identity. This manifests itself when we are describing ourselves to some interested person and we tell him or her that our ancestors voluntarily migrated across the Mississippi River long before the forced movement on the Trail of Tears. We tell our listener that we have been in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri continuously since that initial migration. We describe our tribal headquarters and grounds and then apparently by compulsion we diminish ourselves by adding that we are not a federally recognized tribe but we do have a couple of proclamations by Missouri governors.
I am guilty of doing this and I know others of you are too because I have heard it in your conversations and read it in your correspondence. Why do we do this? I think it must be that we have collectively developed a defensive attitude because of all the derision, ridicule, accusations that we are just wannabes and not real Cherokees, that our tribe is just a social club, etc. etc., that have heaped on us year after year by those who should have been our allies and friends. It's as if we now have a subconscious mindset of “ I'll slap myself before you can slap me.”
Would I like to have federal recognition? Of course, but we must never forget that governmental recognition does not make us “real” Cherokees regardless of what our detractors may say. Such recognition is nothing more than an acknowledgment and admission that we are the real deal. Because of that I think we often attach too much importance to that recognition and I do know, because I've been testing it, that most of the people we talk to about ourselves know nothing about our recognition status and when told about it consider it irrelevant.
I am tired of our Cherokee brothers accusing me of being a wannabe and making me feel diminished. So henceforth I am going to operate under a policy of “If you don't ask about our recognition status, I won't tell.”
If someone is curious enough to ask about recognition I will give him or her a succinct report of the facts, but otherwise I intend to be as silent as a stone on the matter.
We talk a lot about Cherokee pride and that is a good thing, but we need to truly buy into that concept. I am genuinely proud of my Cherokee heritage. It helps me understand things about myself that have resulted in a world view different from that of the people I routinely associate with.
My Cherokee identity is precious to me and I am determined to no longer allow mean-spirited detractors to diminish it. I invite you to join me in that determination.
Gray Fox, Chief Elder
I recently have been thinking about a situation I would like to discuss with you. Specifically, I think many of us have unknowingly developed a defensive attitude about our tribal identity. This manifests itself when we are describing ourselves to some interested person and we tell him or her that our ancestors voluntarily migrated across the Mississippi River long before the forced movement on the Trail of Tears. We tell our listener that we have been in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri continuously since that initial migration. We describe our tribal headquarters and grounds and then apparently by compulsion we diminish ourselves by adding that we are not a federally recognized tribe but we do have a couple of proclamations by Missouri governors.
I am guilty of doing this and I know others of you are too because I have heard it in your conversations and read it in your correspondence. Why do we do this? I think it must be that we have collectively developed a defensive attitude because of all the derision, ridicule, accusations that we are just wannabes and not real Cherokees, that our tribe is just a social club, etc. etc., that have heaped on us year after year by those who should have been our allies and friends. It's as if we now have a subconscious mindset of “ I'll slap myself before you can slap me.”
Would I like to have federal recognition? Of course, but we must never forget that governmental recognition does not make us “real” Cherokees regardless of what our detractors may say. Such recognition is nothing more than an acknowledgment and admission that we are the real deal. Because of that I think we often attach too much importance to that recognition and I do know, because I've been testing it, that most of the people we talk to about ourselves know nothing about our recognition status and when told about it consider it irrelevant.
I am tired of our Cherokee brothers accusing me of being a wannabe and making me feel diminished. So henceforth I am going to operate under a policy of “If you don't ask about our recognition status, I won't tell.”
If someone is curious enough to ask about recognition I will give him or her a succinct report of the facts, but otherwise I intend to be as silent as a stone on the matter.
We talk a lot about Cherokee pride and that is a good thing, but we need to truly buy into that concept. I am genuinely proud of my Cherokee heritage. It helps me understand things about myself that have resulted in a world view different from that of the people I routinely associate with.
My Cherokee identity is precious to me and I am determined to no longer allow mean-spirited detractors to diminish it. I invite you to join me in that determination.
Gray Fox, Chief Elder
Minutes from Northern Cherokee Nation's August 14 Council Meeting
Call to order- Speaker White Crow
Welcome to all our Elders!
Opening Prayer-Chief Grey Elk
Pledge—Speaker White Crow
Roll Call-Buffalo Sister
Mark Fast Knife---Here
Billy Standing Rock—Here
Bill Hawk Arrow—Here thru zoom
Daniel White Crow—Here
Jane Buffalo Sister---Here
Teresa Grandmother Rose---Here
Mike Wandering Wolf—Absent
Chief Grey Elk---Here
Chief Grey Elk announced we did well on the pow wow despite the rain delays and a few getting stuck.
Busy Red Bird said we did well on the Powwow. Made $2008.71 to see us through the winter months bills. Thank you to all those that helped at the powwow.
Big thank you to Speaker White Crow and his helpers for all the work being done on the grounds.
Tribal Marshall Tony Running Wolf-Big thank you to all for helping at the powwow. Big thanks to our neighbor Mark Wilson for the use of his property for parking.
A very big thank you to our fire keepers for keeping the sacred fire going even in the rain.
Speaker White Crow announce the next pow wow will be June 17, 18, and 19, 2022
Consent agenda read by Speaker White Crow
Motion to approve-Grandmother Rose 1st, Standing Rock 2nd, all in favor.
Rita Gentle Rain is holding a raffle for a surprise gift, money to go for office supplies.
Door Prize Winner—Laura Goodnow
Meeting adjourned and potluck dinner was shared by all.
HIGHLIGHTS: Tribal Council members gathered on Saturday, August 14, for a meeting which included many honored elders and even Beloved Woman Yellow Wolf. Business was conducted and good food was shared. Several tribal citizens camped on Friday and Saturday -- a great time of being together, learning, and sharing stories. Gentle Rain sold raffle tickets for a surprise drawing to be held at the next meeting with all proceeds going towards the never-ending printer ink fund. More tickets to be sold at the next meeting scheduled for September 11, 2021. Mark your calendar now and plan on attending.
SUPPORT OUR NATION
Please consider a donation to the Northern Cherokee Nation. Make a donation through our PayPal button on our website, northerncherokeenation.com or mail your welcomed check(s) to Northern Cherokee Nation, P. O. Box 413, Cuba, Missouri 65453. We also accept Staples gift cards and Wal-Mart gift cards. Feel free to call anytime at 660-885-7779. Remember this is your tribe, we do not receive state or federal funding, we are a 501c3 not for profit. We depend on your help.
Also support our Northern Cherokee Nation with the latest information about you. If you are newly married, had a name or address change, let us know. Please update your email addresses, mailing address, marriages, name changes, and family deaths. Send updates to northerncherokeenation@gmail.com or call the tribal office.
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SCHEDULES, DATE CHANGES, CALENDAR: Our webpage has a complete listing meeting dates and times. Our Facebook page also shares the schedule of our events and activities. When all else fails, call the tribal headquarters in Clinton at 660-885-7779, Monday thru Fridays. Please remember Buffalo Sister is an UNPAID volunteer so she may not be there every day. Leave a message and return phone number and she will call you back.
BE PROUD TO SUPPORT YOUR NORTHERN CHEROKEE NATION!
The Northern Cherokee Nation always appreciates your support.
If you'd like to become a supporter, PayPal is available for your convenience to make
your generous tax-deductible donations to the Northern Cherokee Nation.
Remember, the Northern Cherokee Nation is a 501c3.
This is a secure and easy way to donate and help your tribe.
The Northern Cherokee Nation always appreciates your support.
If you'd like to become a supporter, PayPal is available for your convenience to make
your generous tax-deductible donations to the Northern Cherokee Nation.
Remember, the Northern Cherokee Nation is a 501c3.
This is a secure and easy way to donate and help your tribe.
ONLY AFTER ALL THE TREES ARE CUT,
AFTER ALL THE GAME IS KILLED,
ONLY AFTER ALL THE STREAMS ARE POISONED,
ONLY THEN WILL WHITE MEN REALIZE THEY CAN'T EAT MONEY.
AFTER ALL THE GAME IS KILLED,
ONLY AFTER ALL THE STREAMS ARE POISONED,
ONLY THEN WILL WHITE MEN REALIZE THEY CAN'T EAT MONEY.
REMEMBERING OUR PAST
PRESERVING OUR CULTURE
PLANNING OUR DESTINY
PRESERVING OUR CULTURE
PLANNING OUR DESTINY
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