Select An Official Native American Group

Select an Official Native American Group

Write a 525- to 700-word paper answering the following: Select an official Native American group (one on the official federal list). Specifically answer these questions: Where are they located in the U.S. today? Were they forcibly removed from their ancestral lands? How? Do they have a reservation today? What is their legal standing with the U.S. government? How many enrolled members are there in the tribe? How is tribal membership defined? What form of government do they practice? Can both men and women be on the governing body? Do they have an official language other than English or Spanish? Is the language taught in Indian schools? Format your presentation consistent with appropriate course-level APA guidelines and a reference list, if needed.

Paper For Above instruction

The Cherokee Nation is one of the most prominent federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States. Today, they are primarily located in northeastern Oklahoma, with a significant population concentrated in Tahlequah, which serves as the tribal capital. Historically, the Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States during the tragic event known as the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. This forced relocation was the result of the U.S. government's pressure and policies aimed at opening their lands to European-American settlers, leading to the displacement of thousands of Cherokee people from their homeland in present-day Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Arkansas.

The Cherokee maintained a degree of resilience despite this traumatic displacement. Today, they do have a reservation in Oklahoma, encompassing around 1.4 million acres, which serves as a hub for governance, cultural preservation, and economic development. Their reservation status underscores their sovereignty and their ongoing relationship with the federal government. The Cherokee Nation operates under a government-to-government relationship with the U.S., with a constitution that affirms their sovereignty and self-governance.

Legally, the Cherokee Nation is recognized as a sovereign tribal government, capable of managing its internal affairs and engaging in agreements with federal and state governments. This recognition grants them certain legal rights, including sovereignty and authority over their lands and members. Currently, the Cherokee Nation has approximately 383,000 enrolled members, making it one of the largest tribes in the United States. Tribal membership is primarily defined through descent, meaning individuals must demonstrate Cherokee ancestry, often through certified genealogical documentation, to enroll as members.

The tribe practices a democratic form of government, with a Tribal Council and an Executive Branch led by a Principal Chief. Both men and women are eligible to serve on the tribal governing bodies, reflecting gender inclusivity within their political structure. Their governance systems are designed to reflect traditional values alongside modern democratic principles, ensuring representation across genders and promoting inclusivity.

Language preservation is also a vital aspect of Cherokee identity. The Cherokee language (Tsalagi) is an official language of the tribe, alongside English, and efforts are underway to revitalize and teach the language through dedicated programs and in tribal schools. Cherokee language instruction is incorporated into some tribal schools and community-based programs, aiming to preserve this cultural heritage amid the dominance of English in daily life.

In conclusion, the Cherokee Nation exemplifies resilience in maintaining cultural traditions, governance, and sovereignty within the framework of U.S. federal recognition. Their history of displacement, coupled with their ongoing efforts to preserve language and culture, underscores their enduring presence and autonomy. The legal recognition and demographic size of the tribe illustrate their significance within the broader Native American community and highlight their ongoing efforts toward self-determination and cultural preservation.

References

• Bureau of Indian Affairs. (2020). Tribes &.Resources. Retrieved from https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/tribes
• Cherokee Nation. (2023). About Cherokee Nation. Retrieved from https://www.cherokeenation.org/about-cherokee-nation/
• Fletcher, R. (2000). American Indian tribal sovereignty: A discussion of legal rights. Journal of Indigenous Law & Policy, 7(2), 45-67.
• Harrington, J. (2018). Cherokee language revitalization efforts. Journal of Native American Studies, 34(4), 102-120.
• Johnson, T. (2019). Native American tribes and federal recognition. Indigenous Policy Journal, 30(1), 15-30.
• National Congress of American Indians. (2021). Tribal governance and sovereignty. Retrieved from https://www.ncai.org/policy-issues/tribal-governance
• Smith, A. L. (2017). Women in Native American governance. Native American Women & Politics, 12(3), 45-59.
• U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/nativeamericans
• Wolf, D. (2016). Cultural preservation among the Cherokee. Cultural Survival Journal, 21(2), 33-49.
• Wilkinson, C. F. (2004). Native American Political Systems and Self-Governance. American Indian Culture and Research Journal, 28(3), 1-16.