Cherokee History

The Trail of Tears

    

     I began to research the "Trail of Tears" and found my own history.  I saw the word 'Cherokee' highlighted in most of the website summaries and felt an emotional attachment since I have Cherokee blood.  I knew the Trail of Tears had something to do with the Indian removal, but I did not know who was involved and why it had such a depressing title.

     I soon found out the Cherokees were among many other tribes forced to leave their land.  Basically, the whites forced them out of their homes because of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy.  The soldiers led the Indians on a trial into present-day Oklahoma.  Mothers were separated from their children.  All belongings were left behind.  Many Indians walked barefoot on ice.  They slept on the ground without fire, coats, or blankets.  Children, women, and men died from freezing, disease, and exhaustion.  One Indian woman had a stroke, died, and sank with a baby on her back and children grasping her hands.
     The women were the head of the household in Native American culture.  Indian men were deeply distressed because the women were depressed and in a constant state of grievance.  The chief men lifted up prayers in faith and asked for a sign that the women's spirits would be given hope and strength to care for the children.  From that day forward, new white flowers bloomed wherever a mother's tear landed.  These flowers are called Cherokee Roses.  These roses still line the path of the Trail of Tears.  The white symbolizes tears, the yellow center represents gold taken from their native land, and the seven leaves on each stem represent the seven Cherokee clans.

The Cherokee Rose



     The Cherokee Rose intrigued me, so I began to research the rose itself.  I wondered what the seven Cherokee clans were and found information and a symbol.

The Seven Clans

The seven clans are:
Wolf- The largest and most prominent clan.  They are known as the protectors and are mainly made up of chiefs.
Wild Potato- The keepers of the land.  They are known for gathering wild potato along streams.  They are also known as Bear, Raccoon, or Blind Savannah Clan.
Paint- The prominent healers or medicine people.  Red medicine is often painted on a patient after care.
Blue- Medicine makers of a blue colored plant for children.  They are also known as the Panther or Wild Cat Clan.
Long Hair- The peacemakers and Peace Chiefs.  They are also known as The Twister, Hair Hanging Down, or Wind Clan.
Bird- The Messengers.  They take care of the birds, which are believed messengers between the Creator and the people.
Deer- The hunters, fast runners, and earthly messengers.  They delivered messages from village to village and/or person to person.
     Isn't it amazing how technology can lead us on our own knowledge trail?  I started out curious about the Trail of Tears.  In researching the Trail of Tears, I found the Cherokee Rose.  The Cherokee Rose sparked my interest in the seven Cherokee clans.  Now, I know more about the Trail of Tears, Cherokee history, and last but not least, myself.  I guess you could say I went on a journey to find myself.



Works Cited:

"Cherokee Rose." Online image. Like the Dew. 11 December 2011. < http://likethedew.com/2010/08/13/the-cherokee-rose/>

"Seven Cherokee Clans." Online image. HubPages. 11 December 2011. <http://bonnieramsey.hubpages.com/hub/The-Seven-Clans-of-the-Cherokee>

"The Trail of Tears." Online image. Saddle Up 4 Good. 11 December 2011.    <http://saddleup4good.org/trail_of_tears>