Boycott the Anti-Native American Dr. Phil Show

There is a new facebook page, Boycott the Anti-Native American Dr. Phil Show, set up in response to the offensive and disturbing position Dr. Phil recently took against the Indian Child Welfare Act. 

From the article "Case Highlights Failure to Follow ICWA Dictates":

"Passed in 1978, ICWA was created to curtail child welfare practices that separated far too many Indian children from their families and tribes and to recognize the sovereignty of tribal governments. Before ICWA, 25 to 35 percent of Indian children were removed from their homes, and 85 percent of the children who were removed were placed in non-Indian families." 

I think it is important to share the truth, so I am posting the public statement put out by the National Indian Child Welfare Association first. After reading the truth, please see below for the way Dr. Phil withheld some information in order to, in my opinion, incite anger against Veronica's father. 

The episode from Youtube -

The information from Dr. Phil's website on this show can be found HERE.

More on this issue can be found at Indian Country Today.

In my opinion, Dr. Phil needs a lesson on sovereignty. Boycott the show. Send letters and emails. Let him know his opinion does not trump federal law.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Are You Registered to Vote?

Calling out to all Cherokees registered with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma! Are you registered to vote in the Cherokee elections? If not, why? How are you going to help bring about a positive change for the Cherokee people? It does not matter if you live far outside the boundaries of the nation. This is a critical time for the Cherokee people and your vote is needed to bring about change and help those of us who are the most vulnerable. Please register to vote and then let your voice be heard by casting your ballot!


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Death of the Cherokee Nation - Video

Sometimes we put our trust in someone believing they will do the right thing. We trust them to take care of the things we don't know about or understand. Unfortunately, not everyone deserves our trust or confidence. Our ancestors went through a lot so that we could call ourselves Cherokees today. I hope their sacrifices were not in vain.

Please make sure to vote in the 2011 Cherokee election and please vote wisely.

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Are You Sure That is Your Ancestor?

Recently I have received quite a few messages from people who say they are Cherokee and that they found their ancestor or ancestors on the Dawes Roll. So far, none of these people were right in their assumptions. These people made the very common mistake of assuming a person with the same name as their ancestor was their ancestor.

Finding a name on a Dawes Roll index listing that matches the name of your ancestor does not mean much. Too many people have heard a story they were Cherokee so they go straight to the Dawes Roll index and search for any name that matches one of their ancestors. This is the wrong way to go about Cherokee research.

First, you must know when your ancestor was born and when they died. If they died in 1885, then they will NOT be listed on the Dawes Roll. If they were born in 1922, they will NOT be listed on the Dawes Roll. A person MUST have been alive in 1902 at the time the Dawes Roll closed in order to be found on it. People listed on the Dawes Roll must have been living in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. If your ancestor was living anywhere else, then they are not on the Dawes Roll.

There are some minors (children of Dawes enrollees) who were born after 1902 who are listed on the Dawes Roll, but their parents are listed on the Dawes Roll and the family of these children had been living in the Cherokee Nation for years and years before the Dawes Roll. So, if your ancestor was born in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory in 1905, but his parents were born in Illinois in 1880 and the grandparents were born in Pennsylvania, your ancestor will not be found on the Dawes Roll. The fact that your ancestor was born in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory means nothing in terms of Cherokee ancestry. At that time, the whites in Indian Territory far outnumbered the Indians.

After reviewing everything about your ancestor, if you learn they were born in Cherokee Nation and living in 1902 and their family had always been in Cherokee Nation, then, and only then, you may want to review an online index to see if your ancestor is listed on the Dawes Roll. IF you find a name that matches that of your ancestor, then you will need to obtain the application the person listed on the Dawes Roll made. That should give you enough information to determine whether the person listed on the Dawes Roll is really your ancestor. Happy hunting.

Those are my thoughts for the day.
Thank you for reading.

CC
The Granddaughter

copyright 2009, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Poverty in the Cherokee Nation

"I'm trying to figure out who my Cherokee ancestor on the roll was so I can get my benefits." Go read any Cherokee genealogy message board and you will find it spattered with such comments. It seems people have the wrong impression about the lives of Cherokees today. I guess they are under the impression that Cherokees are all living high on the hog due to casino revenues. Well, this is not true. Many of the Cherokee people who live in the 14 county area of the historical Cherokee Nation live far below the poverty level. They live without basic necessities, such as dialysis and eye glasses. Many of our elders live in conditions similar to those found in third world countries. I could go on and on, but the following video says it better than I could ever explain in words.



So, in closing, I would just like to say, to everyone who thinks there are "benefits" for having your "Indian card", the benefit is being able to register with a federally recognized tribe and in being able to call yourself Cherokee. There is no greater benefit than that in my mind.

And, to those Cherokees who are only registered because they "want benefits", I hope you understand when I borrow some words from the late United States president, John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." "United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder."

It is time we stand together against the tyranny that leaves our most vulnerable Cherokees in desperate need. We, together, can make a difference. Your card gives you the responsibility to stand up against what is wrong and fight for what is right. And, isn't having a voice and a vote some of the finest benefits we could ever hope to have?

Those are my thoughts for the day.
Thank you for reading.

CC
The Granddaughter

copyright 2009, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Cherokees Take a Stand Against Frauds

Cherokees are taking a stand against fraudulent artists, performers, musicians, etc...

ONE VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !!!

You can help!

• Document all the frauds you find and notify the Cherokee Nation
• Write the Cherokee Federal delegation in Oklahoma and the Arizona Senators
• BCC the Washington, DC office
• Write Chief Chad Smith

When you write, write as an individual Indian and be specific. Include all arts--performing, music, etc.. Provide examples of those who fraudulently call themselves American Indian/Native American. Include your name, address and contact information for follow up contact.

Contact information:

Cherokee Elected Officials
(in the first box, select elected officials and in the second box, select the person you wish to contact)

Oklahoma's Federal Delegation

Washington DC office - cnwo@cherokee.org

Arizona Senators -
Jon Kyl
John McCain

If you think this does not affect you, think again. When someone impersonates you, it does affect you. It is time to stand up against those people who fraudulently represent themselves as Cherokee (and/or Native American) artists, musicians, performers, etc...

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thank you for listening.

CC
The Granddaughter
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Memorial of the Cherokee Nation - Feb. 22, 1838

Note-This is a MUST read for all Cherokees.
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The following is the
Memorial of the CHEROKEE NATION.

To The Honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States.
in Congress assembled, most humbly
and most respectfully showeth :

That whereas, we, the undersigned, citizens of the Cherokee Nation, have always regarded the instrument purporting to be a Treaty, made in December, 1835, at New Echota. by the Rev. John F. Schermerhorn. and certain unauthorized individual Cherokees. to be a violation of the fundamental principles of justice, and on which your great empire is founded, an outrage on the primary rules of national intercourse as well as the known laws and usages of the Cherokee nation, and therefore to be destitute of any binding force on us :

And whereas, at a General Council of the Nation, held at Red Clay, in September, 1836, our sentiments were set forth and our solemn protest entered against it:

And whereas, at a subsequent General Council of the Nation, held at Red Clay, in August, 1837. a communication from the President of the United States, on the subject of said instrument, was delivered in full Council, by Col. John Mason. Special Agent of the U. States :

And whereas, after mature deliberation on the said communication, the resolutions of the preceding Conncil in reference to that compact, were re-affirmed, together with the memorial which accompanied the same:

And whereas, we entertained the belief that, through the medium of the Special Agent's report, the President would become correctly informed of the state of the matter, and of the real sentiments of the Cherokee people.

"We. therefore, cherished the confident hope, that he would deem it right to abrogate that fraudulent instrument, and at once, enter into arrangements with us for the adjustment of all difficulties.

With these views, we then appointed a delegation to represent us before the government of the United States, and vested with them full powers to make final arrangements of all matters in controversy; and we were animated with prospect of a speedy termination of our distresses; but the cup of hope is dashed from our lips; our prospects are dark with horror, and our hearts are filled with bitterness---Agonized with these emotions; language fails; our tongues falter as we approach the bar of your august assemblies, before who we again beg leave humbly to present our grievances.

With the full details of our troubles, we forbear to trespass on your indulgence. They are extensively known, and our delegation now at Washington, will be found ready to furnish any information which may be needed.

We therefore respectfully present the following, which will show the appalling circumstances in which we are placed by the operation of that perfidious compact.

A communication has recently issued from the U. States' Agency, addressed to the Chiefs, Head Men and People of the Cherokee Nation, in which we are told that "the Executive has formally declined" all intercourse or correspondence with Mr. Ross in relation to the treaty, "and" that "an end has been put to all negotiation upon the subject"—"that it is the unalterable determination of the President to execute the treaty"—"the time cannot possibly be prolonged"—-another day. beyond the time named, cannot and will not, be allowed you."—The writer says. "we will not attempt to describe the evils that may fall upon you, if you are still obstinate, and refuse to conform to the requirements of the treaty"---"we will not paint the horrors that may ensue in such an event."

It will be readily conceived that declarations like these, emanating from such a source—our country already filled with troops—cannot fail so fill our minds with consternation and surprize. What have we done to merit such severe treatment? What is our crime ? Have we invaded any one's rights? Have we violated any article of our numerous Treaties? Have we in any manner acted in bad faith?---We are not even charged with any such thing. But we are accused of "laboring under a dangerous error." and of being "duped and deluded by those in whom we have placed implicit confidence."---"Your pretended friends." say they "have proved themselves to be your worst enemies." But what is our "dangerous error?" What is our "delusion?" Is it a delusion to be sensible of the wrongs we suffer? Is it a "dangerous error" to believe that the great nation, whose representatives we now approach, will never knowingly sanction a transaction originated in treachery and to be executed by violence and oppression? It cannot be.--- Is it a "delusion" to assert that the makers of that ill omened compact were destitute of authority ?

This fact we are prepared to prove by incontestible evidence. Indeed, it is virtually admitted by the parties themselves. and the very fact that an armed force should be put in requisition to defend their persons, and to compel our submission, argues, not obscurely, a defect of confidence in the validity of the compact. Is it obstinacy to refuse our assent to an act which is a flagrant violation of the first principles of free government, and which sets foot on the neck of our liberties, and our dearest rights? Are we to be thus frowned into silence, for attempting to utter our complaints in the ear of our lawful and covenanted protector? Is it a crime to confide in our chiefs—the men of our choice—whom we have tried and found faithful? We would humbly ask, in whom should we confide ? Surely not in those who have, in the face of our solemn injunctions, and in opposition to the reiterated expression of our sentiments conspired the ruin of our country—usurped the powers of the nation—framed the spurious compact—and by artifice and fraud, palmed it on the authorities of the U. States and procured for it the recognition of those high functionaries.

And now, in the presense of your august assemblies, and in the presense of the Supreme Judge of the Universe, most solemly and most humbly do we ask—are we, for these causes, to be subjected to the indescribable evils which are designed to be inflicted on us? Is our country to be made the scene of the "horrors" which the Commissioners "will not paint?" For adhering: to the principles on which your great empire is founded, and which have advanced it to its present elevation and glory, are we to be despoiled of all we hold dear on earth? Are we to be hunted through the mountains like wild beasts, and our women, our children, our aged, our sick, to be dragged from their homes, like culprits, and packed on board loathsome boats for transportation to a sickly clime?

Already are we thronged with armed men ; forts, camps, and military posts of every grade, already occupy our whole country. With us. it is a season of alarm and apprehension. We acknowledge the power of the U. States. We acknowledge our own feebleness. Our only fortress is, the justice of our cause.—Our only appeal, on earth, is to your tribunal. To you. then, we look. Before your honorable bodies—in view of the appalling circumstances with which we are surrounded—relying on the righteousness of our cause, and the justice and magnanimity of the tribunal to which we appeal—we do solemnly and earnestly protest against that spurious instrument: and we do hereby, also, respectfully re-affirm, as a part of this our memorial, the resolutions and accompanying memorials of the two last General Councils of the Nation, held at Red Clay. Our minds remain unaltered. We never can assent to that compact; nor can we believe that the U. States are bound in honor or in justice, to execute on us its degrading and ruinous provisions.

It's true, we are feeble people; and as regards to physical power, we are in the hands of the United States; but we have not forfeited our rights; and if we fail to transmit to our sons, the freedom we have derived from our fathers, it must not be by an act of suicide; it must not be by our own consent.

With trembling; solicitude and anxiety, we most humbly and most respectfully ask, will you hear us? Will you extend to us your powerful protection? Will you shield us from the "HORRORS" of the threatened storm? Will you sustain the hopes we have rested on the public faith, the honor, the justice of your mighty empire? We commit our cause to your favor and protection:

And your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Cherokee Nation; Feb. 22, 1838.
Signed by fifteen thousand six hundred and sixty five of the Cherokee people, as will appear by referring to the original submitted to the Senate by the Cherokee Delegation.

(Source - The Adams Sentinel; Gettysburg, Penn; April 9, 1838; p.4)
Transcription by Polly's Granddaughter
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My heart breaks and my eyes fill with tears every time I read that.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thank you for reading.

CC
The Granddaughter
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Litefoot

In a day and age when lots of performers claim to be Cherokee, it is always best to verify those claims. There are many actors, actresses, and singers who claim Cherokee blood, but never offer up the proof to back up their claims. For those of you who have the desire to support true, documented Cherokee performers, I will, from time to time, feature them here.

Today I would like to feature Litefoot. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and he is a registered member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He's a good artist and has used his celebrity to encourage Indian youth to stay away from drugs, respect their cultures and honor their family. Even though his music style is Rap and geared toward teenagers and young adults, I think his message reaches Indian people of all ages. If you have not heard his music, then you have been missing out.

Here is a video of his song, Different People.
(warning for language)



For more information on Litefoot or to purchase his music, you can go to http://litefoot.com/

Those are my thoughts for the day.
Thank you for listening.

CC
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What is a Cherokee? (Simple explanation)

Today, while browsing the internet for blogs I might be interested in reading, I stumbled across one for "Cherokees with No Tribal affiliation". Excuse me? Just like these mythological Cherokee grandmas, there is NO SUCH THING! Being Cherokee is not a racial thing, but a nationality thing. It is no different than being British, Italian or German. Either you are or you aren't. If you have no tribal affiliation, then you are not Cherokee. Plain and simple.

I am amazed that grown adults don't seem to understand this since my children were able to understand the concept at a very young age. Here is how I explained it to my kids.

At one point in time, there was a geographical area (Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory) where people were living. If the people were living there 'legally' (this includes Indians, whites and blacks, but not intruders), then they were considered citizens (Cherokee citizens) of that geographical area and they were included on a list (Dawes Roll). Anyone who descends from one on the list is now eligible to register as a Cherokee because that geographical area was called Cherokee Nation and the people who lived there were citizens of that nation.

There were other people (former citizens of the Cherokee Nation) who had once lived in that geographical area or with the main body of the tribe but had chosen to move away. Since they were not there when the list was written down, they were not citizens of the Cherokee Nation. They were citizens of the United States. Their descendants will never be Cherokee, but instead Cherokee descendants.

This is the way I explained it to my kids a couple of years ago and they ranged in ages from 10-13. Each one of them understood the difference. It is the same thing as me saying I have a great great great great great grandma who was from Germany. She moved here from Germany and became a US citizen. Because she lived in Germany at one time does not make me a citizen of Germany and therefore, I am not a German. I descend from a former German citizen, but I am not and never will be a German. In my opinion, the same thing is true for the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. If your ancestors were not citizens at the time they needed to be in order for you to be eligible to register, then you might be a descendant of a former Cherokee citizen, but are not a Cherokee.

Look at it in terms of citizenship of a nation and it is fairly easy to understand. And, if you don't know for sure yet, then you are researching to find out if you descend from Cherokee. To some, it may seem like just playing with words, but to others, it is an important difference. Remember, it is those Cherokees who stayed with the nation who built it into what it is today, not those who left.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thank you for reading.

CC
The Granddaughter

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