The Cherokee Indians covered a vast part of the United States southeastern region. They lived in the Appalachian area. In the early 1800's the Cherokees were one of the most well developed and prosperous tribes in the country. The Cherokee Indians today are scattered throughout various parts of out nation. Some of these Native Americans live on a reservation in North Carolina but most live in Oklahoma. Actually over 100,000 live in Oklahoma.

The Cherokee Indians are a branch of the Iroquois nation. The Cherokee people were hunters, fisherman, traders, and farmers. These Native Americans lived in small communities. These communities were usually located in fertile riverbeds in order for the Indians to farm and grow crops. The style of their homes was very unique. They made their houses out of wooden frames wrapped and covered with vines woven together. Then the houses were plastered with mud. The mud was used as an insulation to keep the house warm. After many years the Cherokee began to build

The Cherokee were a member of the "Five Civilized Tribes". Other tribes in this category included the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole. They were called this by white settlers. The Cherokee were the only Iroquian speaking of these five tribes.

One interesting ritual of the Cherokee was the Eagle Dance. It was held in order to celebrate both peace and war. The dancers in this wore eagle feathers on their heads and waved eagle feather wands. During this ceremony other members of the tribe would play out music on drums and rattles for the dancers to dance to.

The Cherokee did not get to enjoy their prosperity for very long. Andrew Jackson wanted to confiscate Indian lands and move the Cherokees to the west. In 1835 some Cherokee members who did not represent all of the Cherokee people signed a treaty. The Cherokees were forced out of their land. During the winter of 1838-1839 the U.S. troops forced the Cherokees to move to Indian Territory which is now Oklahoma. Between thirteen and seventeen thousand were forced to move. Many thousands of Indians died during this terrible move. This was known as the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee in Oklahoma are now known as the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

The Cherokee Nation consisted of a Chief, a Vice-Chief, and thirty-two council members. Members

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