Cherokee Indians history, culture, and genealogy

The Cherokee Indians are one of the tribes referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes. Several Cherokee Nations and Bands are recognized by the U.S. government, and as of the 2000 census, the Cherokee tribe had the most enrolled members of any tribe in the United States.

The word "Cherokee" originally came from the Choctaw trade language. It was derived from the Choctaw word "Cha-la-kee" which means "those who live in the mountains" – or (also Choctaw) "Chi-luk-ik-bi" meaning "those who live in the caves." The name which the Cherokee originally used for themselves is Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya (literal translation: "Principle People" or "these are all the human people"). However, modern Cherokee call themselves Cherokee, or Tsalagi.

Cherokee Timeline
1000	Cherokee are well known in Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountain area, having traveled on foot from the Appalachian Mountains to the Iroquois territory.
1540	Hernando de Soto travels the Cherokee territory.
1600s	Spanish, French,English explorers, and traders start to come into Cherokee Territory.
1730	Cherokee leaders visit England.
1754	Nanye hi becomes a Beloved Woman to her people after challenging the Cherokees in a battle against the Creeks.
1756- 1763	Cherokees fight in the French and Indian war (against the British.)
1776	Cherokees are again enemies against the British in the American Revolution.
1780- 1820	Cherokees sign more treaties leaving their land to the United States.
1821	The Cherokee syllabary is finished by Sequoyah.
1827	Cherokees draft a constitution declaring themselves a nation.
1828	The Cherokee Phoenix is published, Andrew Jackson becomes president of the United States, and John Ross becomes Principal Chief.
1830	The Indian Removal Act is passed.
1835	The Treaty of New Echota is signed declaring all of the Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. government. It was signed by Major Ridge and a small group of Cherokees.
1838	The Trail of Tears started because Cherokees are forced off their land to Indian Territory.
1839	A new capital is established by the Cherokee Nation in what is now known as Oklahoma.
1861	At Park Hill a Treaty is signed between the Confederate government and the Cherokee Nation.
1866-1867	They negotiate peace with the U.S. government. Tribal and land rights treaty is signed. John Ross dies.
1887	General Allotment Act is passed.
1889	Indian Territory taken over by white settlers or "boomers."
1890	Western half of Indian Territory turned into Indian Territory.
1893	White settlers take over Cherokee Outlet.
1898	Curtis Act is passed.
1903	W.C. Rogers becomes last elected chief. He was chief for 69 years.
1905	Land allotment begins.
1907	Indian and Oklahoma territories are combined by Oklahoma statehood. Tribal government dissolves.
1917	W. C. Rogers dies. He was the last Cherokee chief.
1934	Indian Reorganization act is established.
1948	Chief J.B. Milam calls Cherokee convention.
1949	President Harry Truman appoints W.W. Bill Keeler as chief.
1957	First national holiday for Cherokees.
1961	US Claims Commission awards Cherokees 15 million dollars for the Cherokee Outlet Land.
1963	Cherokee National Historical Society founded.
1967	Cherokee Foundation formed.
1970	Cherokee Nation gets ownership of beds and banks.
1971	W.W. Bill Keeler becomes elected principal chief. He was the first chief since statehood.
1975	self-determination and Education Act is passed. Ross O. Swimmer elected principal chief. He served a term for three years. First Cherokee Tribal Council elected.
1976	Cherokee voters accept new constitution.
1984	Eastern band of Cherokees and Cherokee nation hold first joint council meeting. It was the first meeting held in 146 years.
1987	Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman elected chief, and makes history.
1988	The Trail of Tears begin when the Cherokee Nation combines with the Eastern band of Cherokees.
1989	The 150th anniversary for the Cherokees for arriving in the "Indian Territory" or a "New Beginning."
1990	Chief Mankiller sign the self-governance agreement. This makes the Cherokee Nation one of the six tribes to cooperate in the self-determination project.
1991	Wilma Mankiller becomes principal chief again to serve her second term.
1995	Joe Byrd and Garland Eagle elected principal chief.