Osiyo is Cherokee for hello. A few days ago I got a magazine from the Cherokee tribe called Anadisgoi. This is a new venture for the Tribe and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a member of the Cherokee tribe, finally got my tribal enrollment card a couple of years ago. In order to get one you must prove direct descent from one of the people on the Dawes Roll that was established in the early 1900's.
In order to break the power of the tribal chiefs the federal government decided to give the reservation lands to individuals instead of the tribe holding it as a whole. So a census was done to find all the Cherokees in what was then eastern Oklahoma, before it became a state.
My Grandmother Pearl Anderson Kennedy is on that roll as is my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Finn Anderson. So all of my Mother's family was eligible for tribal enrollment.
The Cherokees have been a very successful tribe having oil and gas on their lands long before casinos came along. When they moved into casinos it was decided to not give the money from this venture directly back to tribal members as some tribes have done but rather to invest it in health services (hospitals and clinics), education (scholarships and schools) infrastructure (roads, sewers, water and electricity) and housing ( rehabilitating some houses, building new ones for the poor and elderly).
My sisters live in Oklahoma and receive free medical care, monthly commodities, help with utiility payments and in the case of my younger sister a brand new 3 bedroom home.
From the magazine I learned of other ventures the tribe is involved in, job assistance, substance abuse treatment centers and
donations to prevent domestic violence.
They're also bringing back bison to Oklahoma.
I'm rather proud to be a Cherokee.
It looks like a great publication, and a good tool to explain their vision.
ReplyDeleteThat was really interesting, especially how the tribal funds are allocated in a more controlled way to the Cherokee. My experience is in Minnesota and the Dakotas where it wasn't done well and though there is a lot of money it is not used wisely by the Natilve Americans and schools, utilities, homes, etc, have seen little progress. My sister-in-law just retired from a teaching career on the Mille Lacs reservation and the situation for those who live there is heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteYou are right to be proud of your Native American heritage!
I'm not surprised that you are proud of your Cherokee heritage! There are obviously some very wise people among, presumably, the tribal elders who have used the money to improve life for their people.
ReplyDeleteYes what Cynthia said.. Here in Minnesota the funds are not being used wisely and the reservation is like a third world country. We live just 8 miles away.
ReplyDeleteThat is truly a wonderful social achievement by the Cherokee Nation.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know anything about that, such an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI would be proud too if I were Cherokee. Glad the money is being put to good use to better their lives.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed your last three posts. Don't know why I have such a hard time finding your blog. I'm sure it's just me. I like your herbs planted in pewter. I need a sunny windowsill for herbs.
What a great post. I love that the money is being reinvested and saved for future generations. Eyes on the long haul.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fascinating! Everyone should be proud of who they are and their roots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. It's encouraging to hear positive results through the work of the tribes. I have a friend of an aboriginal tribe here, and she told me her elderly mother recently rejoined her tribe, and is now living on a reserve and well cared for in her own home and surrounded by a very caring group. She said she's just loving her reconnection with the tribe after so many years of being apart. I think it's great that people search out their roots and connect with their true families again. I'm from a very small family, and remember clearing out a great aunt's house seeing lots of photos of relatives etc. and thinking "wow! I actually have a family history!".
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! My husband is also Cherokee, descended from the Merrells of Merrell Reservation in N. Alabama. I still have to get the info together to send off for his tribal card. I know he would love to have it. His ancestry of Cherokee means a lot to him. Looks like a great magazine.
ReplyDelete