The Cherokee Nation, world-famous for its turbulent and colorful past,
is home to the second-largest American Indian tribe in the United
States. This fascinating visual history spans 14 counties of northeast
Oklahoma, from the Arkansas River to the Kansas border,
and features the capital, Tahlequah. The U.S. government's harsh
treatment of the Cherokees culminating in the notorious Trail of Tears
is documented here. In Indian Territory, the Cherokees quickly
established systems of democratic government, education,
and communication. Many lived in the same manner as their white
counterparts of the time, as wealthy plantation owners and ranchers.
They were completely literate in their own written language, printing
newspapers, magazines, and books. Devastation struck as the Civil War
split the Cherokees into factions, dividing families and neighbors and
destroying communities and homes. Again, the resilient Cherokees rebuilt
their nation,
enjoying growth and renewed prosperity until land allotment and
statehood stripped away their self-governance. The progressive,
accomplished character of the Cherokees is evidenced by the pictures and
stories in this book. Here you will meet the leaders who helped rebuild
the great Cherokee Nation, legendary figures like Sequoyah and Will
Rogers, and the patriots and artisans who have kept the tribe's culture
and tradition alive throughout histo