C. Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope

Photo: Appalachian hills and the sky by J. Boer, ca. 2002

Learn about a North Carolina community that practices traditions passed down from their ancient ancestors in Snowbird Cherokee.

Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope

Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

More than likely, you have heard of the Cherokee Indian tribe. Before the 1800s, they were one of the largest tribes in the eastern United States. After the 1800s, the Cherokee people still living in...

Chapter 1: The Early Cherokee | Periscope

Episode 2

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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...

Cherokee Government, Trade & More | Periscope

Episode 3

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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."...

Legendary War Chief, Oconostota | Periscope

Episode 4

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Chapter 2: The Trail of Tears | Periscope

Episode 5

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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...

Map: Trail of Tears National History Trail | Periscope

Episode 6

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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 3: The Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope

Episode 7

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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...

Snowbird Cherokee Community | Periscope

Episode 8

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Tradition and The Snowbird | Periscope

Episode 9

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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...

Children Learn Cherokee Language | Periscope

Episode 10

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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: Gadugi | Periscope

Episode 11

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Tradition: The Trail of Tears Singing | Periscope

Episode 12

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

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: The Fading Voices Festival | Periscope

Episode 13

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Mound Ceremony | Periscope

Episode 14

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 Cherokee Language | Periscope

Episode 15

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Cherokee Syllabary | Periscope

Episode 16

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In 1821, George Guess, a full-blooded Cherokee also known as Sequoyah, invented the Cherokee "syllabary." The syllabary allowed the Cherokee to read and write in their own language. Sequoyah's written...

Tradition: Anetsa | Periscope

Episode 17

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Playing Anetsa Currently | Periscope

Episode 18

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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: Herbal and Ceremonial Medicine | Periscope

Episode 19

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Tradition: Herbal and Ceremonial Medicine A few Snowbird Cherokee still practice medicine using herbs and ceremonial practices. Though modern forms of medicine are also used, the tradition of the...

Traditions Passed Down | Periscope

Episode 20

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...