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The Snowbird Cherokees looks at life in the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, particularly in the relatively isolated traditional community of Snowbird, deep in the mountains of western North Carolina. When Cherokees were evicted from their native lands by the United States government in 1838, many of the ancestors of Snowbird managed to flee in advance of the soldiers, returning to their homes after months of hiding in the forests of the Smokey Mountains.

In addition to exploring the daily lives and culture of the Eastern Cherokees, this program delves into the history of the Cherokees, especially since the arrival of European whites in their territory. Descriptions of traditional Cherokee beliefs offer some insight into their worldview and how Cherokees today see their world and their future. Intercutting historical elements with contemporary life in the Eastern Band, this is one of the few programs that focuses on Eastern, rather than Western, Cherokees.

Content Type
Table Rock Mountain | History of SC Slide Collection

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Table Rock Mountain | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 5
Table Rock Mountain, long a favorite scenic spot of South Carolinians, takes its name from its distinctive shape. A Cherokee legend tells the story that a giant who once lived in the nearby valley had...
Cherokees | Palmetto Heritage

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Cherokees | Palmetto Heritage
The story of the Cherokees is told through scenes from "lJnto These Hills" the outdoor drama in Cherokee, North Carolina that depicts the story of the Cherokees. The video centers around an Indian...
Battle of King's Mountain | Palmetto Heritage Legend of Isaqueena | Palmetto Heritage

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Legend of Isaqueena | Palmetto Heritage
The Legend of Isaqueena blends fact with fantasy. An Indian trade based out of Ninety Six in the early 1750's grew to become the largest business operating outside of Charleston. Alan assisted with...
Cherokee Today | Periscope

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Cherokee Today | Periscope
Episode 3
Today, Oconee County is home to the modern Cherokees of South Carolina. Traditional arts, crafts, foods, and language are still part of the Cherokee way of life.
The Trail of Tears | Periscope

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The Trail of Tears | Periscope
Episode 2
The Cherokee are the largest tribe in the United States. They have also suffered some of the greatest losses in history of the United States. At one time, "Cherokee country" stretched from the...
Cherokee | Periscope

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Cherokee | Periscope
Episode 1
The first "interstate" in South Carolina was created by the Cherokee. It was known as "the Cherokee Path." In the 1700s, this route led traders from the coast of Charleston past the Columbia area and...
Edisto | Periscope

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Edisto | Periscope
Episode 1
Native Americans have lived near the Edisto River for over 400 years. The Edisto Indians were originally known as the Natchez Kusso (Nah-chez Koo-so). The Natchez Kusso were a mixture of tribes. The...
Traditions Passed Down | Periscope

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Traditions Passed Down | Periscope
Episode 20
In this edition of Periscope, we have seen many Native American traditions practiced by the Snowbird community and other Cherokee people. Ask yourself why you, your friends, or your family continue to...
Playing Anetsa Currently | Periscope

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Playing Anetsa Currently | Periscope
Episode 18
Tradition: Anetsa Anetsa resembles our modern game of lacrosse, but can be much rougher! Players erect goal posts on each end of a field, and use ball sticks shaped like miniature rackets with long...
Tradition: Anetsa | Periscope

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Tradition: Anetsa | Periscope
Episode 17
Tradition: Anetsa The game of Anetsa, or stick ball, is played at many Cherokee festivals. Anetsa has been played for hundreds of years. It was traditionally played to settle disputes or for spiritual...
Tradition: The Cherokee Language | Periscope

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Tradition: The Cherokee Language | Periscope
Episode 15
Tradition: The Cherokee Language Children in Snowbird schools learn the Cherokee language at a young age. They, in turn, may teach a future generation of students the language. In the early part of...
Mound Ceremony | Periscope

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Mound Ceremony | Periscope
Episode 14
Mound Ceremony During the Mound Ceremony, people bring a turtle shell full of dirt from their homes. Participants then walk around a sacred fire seven times, one time for each of the seven Cherokee...
Tradition: The Fading Voices Festival | Periscope

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Tradition: The Fading Voices Festival | Periscope
Episode 13
Tradition: The Fading Voices Festival Each year, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the Fading Voices Festival is held in Snowbird. The festival commemorates community elders and celebrates Cherokee...
Tradition: The Trail of Tears Singing | Periscope

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Tradition: The Trail of Tears Singing | Periscope
Episode 12
Tradition: The Trail of Tears Singing Every year since 1968, the Snowbird Cherokee have held a ceremony called "The Trail of Tears Singing." The ceremony is held in memory of the Cherokee who were...
Tradition: Gadugi | Periscope

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Tradition: Gadugi | Periscope
Episode 11
Tradition: Gadugi (ga-doo-gee) The word gadugi means "working together." Originally, the gadugi were a group of people in a Cherokee community who helped others in a time of need. The gadugi planted...
Children Learn Cherokee Language | Periscope

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Children Learn Cherokee Language | Periscope
Episode 10
In Snowbird, some children learn the Cherokee language before they learn English. There are festivals to celebrate Cherokee ancestors and elders and the changing of seasons. Traditional arts, dance...
Tradition and The Snowbird | Periscope

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Tradition and The Snowbird | Periscope
Episode 9
Over 500 Cherokee now live on tribal lands that make up the Snowbird Community. Tribal lands, or reservations, are protected for use by Native Americans. The Snowbird Cherokee have kept much of their...
Snowbird Cherokee Community | Periscope

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Snowbird Cherokee Community | Periscope
Episode 8
The Snowbird Cherokee community looks like a typical American community in many ways. There are schools, churches, cars and roads. The Snowbird Cherokee play on local football teams and Snowbird youth...
Chapter 3: The Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope

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Chapter 3: The Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope
Episode 7
Only a few Cherokee escaped the Indian Removal Act. Those who remained found safe hiding places in the remote mountains and valleys of Appalachia. Today, the Snowbird community is home to many...
Map: Trail of Tears National History Trail | Periscope

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Map: Trail of Tears National History Trail | Periscope
Episode 6
Between 1838 and 1839, over 15,000 Cherokee people were forced to march over 800 miles. The Cherokee's dangerous route began in the Appalachian mountains and ended in Oklahoma. Over 4,000 Cherokee...
Chapter 2: The Trail of Tears | Periscope

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Chapter 2: The Trail of Tears | Periscope
Episode 5
So what became of the once grand Cherokee nation? In 1830, the United States Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. The government of the United States wanted to move Native Americans from land in...
Legendary War Chief, Oconostota | Periscope

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Legendary War Chief, Oconostota | Periscope
Episode 4
Oconostota: The original site of Echota was flooded while building a lake, but prior to its loss, archaeologist John Green discovered the grave site of the legendary war chief, Oconostota. Photo...
Cherokee Government, Trade & More | Periscope

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Cherokee Government, Trade & More | Periscope
Episode 3
The Cherokee had a system of government, trade and a religious order. The Cherokee also had a capital city. In the 1700s, the capital of the Cherokee tribe was Echota, which means "a peaceful place."...
Chapter 1: The Early Cherokee | Periscope

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Chapter 1: The Early Cherokee | Periscope
Episode 2
The group of Native Americans known as the Cherokee have lived in the southeastern United States for thousands of years. Their population at one time numbered over 20,000 people. Before the 1800s...