The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma stands as a testament to the enduring strength and unwavering commitment to tradition within the Cherokee Nation. Revered as the most traditional and conservative among the Cherokee people, the United Keetoowah Band has diligently preserved the ancient customs and spiritual practices of their ancestors. These traditions, deeply rooted in the full-blood Cherokee heritage, are not merely historical relics but are considered essential to the very survival and identity of the Cherokee people. The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma serves as a vital link to the past, ensuring that the flame of Cherokee culture continues to burn brightly for generations to come.
Official Identity and Contact Information:
- Official Tribal Name: United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
- Address: P.O. Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465
- Phone: 918-431-1818
- Fax: 918-431-1873
- Official Website: http://www.keetoowahcherokee.org/
- Recognition Status: Federally Recognized
The Significance of the Name:
The name "Keetoowah" (singular) or "Kituhwagi" (plural) carries profound significance within the Cherokee tradition. The term is not a recent invention, but rather a name bestowed upon the Cherokee people directly by the Creator.
According to ancient legends, seven of the wisest men from the early Cherokee sought divine guidance through fasting. They ascended the highest peak, now known as Clingman’s Dome, and for seven days and nights, they abstained from food, praying for direction. On the seventh night, the Creator revealed to them their true name: "You shall be Kituwah." This sacred name embodies the essence and destiny of the Cherokee people.
Another traditional name for the Cherokee people is Aniyunwiya, meaning "Principal People."
Common Names and Their Meanings:
- Cherokee: This name originates from a Muskogee Indian word referring to "speakers of another language," highlighting the distinct linguistic identity of the Cherokee.
- Tsalagi: This is the spelling and pronunciation of "Cherokee" in the Cherokee language itself, underscoring the importance of linguistic preservation.
- The spellings “Keetoowah” and “Kituwah” are used interchangeably.
Geographic and Cultural Context:
- Region: The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is associated with the Southeastern cultural region of the United States, an area historically inhabited by numerous Native American tribes with shared cultural traits.
- State Today: The tribe’s headquarters and primary population center are located in the state of Oklahoma.
- Traditional Territory: The ancestral lands of the Cherokee encompassed a vast territory spanning parts of present-day North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky.
- Confederacy: Historically, the Cherokee were part of significant alliances and confederacies, including the Five Civilized Tribes and the Iroquois Confederacy, demonstrating their complex political and social relationships with other Native American nations.
Historical Population and Demographics:
Estimating the Cherokee population at the time of European contact is a challenging task, with varying figures reported by different sources. In 1708, the Cherokee were estimated to have 60 villages and at least 500 men. By 1715, they were officially reported to number 11,210, including 4,000 warriors, residing in 60 villages. Over the following decades, estimates fluctuated, reflecting the impact of disease, warfare, and displacement.
The forced removal of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in significant population loss, with nearly one-fourth of those removed perishing during the journey. By 1885, the Cherokee population had recovered to approximately 19,000, with the majority residing in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
Today, the registered population of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma continues to grow, reflecting the tribe’s commitment to cultural preservation and self-determination.
Language and Cultural Preservation:
The Cherokee language, classified within the Iroquoian language family, is a vital component of Cherokee identity and cultural heritage. The language has three principal dialects. Despite historical challenges, including forced assimilation policies, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma actively promotes language revitalization efforts to ensure its survival.
The tribe’s cultural preservation initiatives extend beyond language to encompass traditional arts, crafts, ceremonies, and oral traditions. These efforts are essential for maintaining the continuity of Cherokee culture and transmitting ancestral knowledge to future generations.
A History of Resilience and Self-Determination:
The history of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is marked by resilience, adaptation, and a steadfast commitment to self-determination. In the late 1790s, Keetoowah/Cherokee families began migrating to Arkansas.
In 1808, a delegation of Cherokees went to Washington D.C. to inform the President of the United States that not all Cherokee people wanted to pursue what was deemed a ‘civilized’ life. The delegation requested the President divide the upper towns, whose people wanted to establish a regular government, from the lower towns who wanted to continue living traditionally.
In 1817, the United States ceded lands to the Kituwah people in exchange for a portion of the Cherokee lands they had occupied and were entitled to in the East.
The Treaty of 1817 exchanged lands back East for lands in Arkansas. This gained the Keetoowahs a definite title to a territory.
In 1828 the Keetoowahs moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma ten years prior to the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation. During that same year, the Keetoowahs went on to adopt a written constitution.
The Old Settlers enjoyed only a few years of peace before being joined by the Treaty Party and ultimately by the Eastern Cherokee, marking the beginning of the Cherokee Civil War. After the influx of the Eastern Cherokees from the Trail of Tears, the Easterners greatly outnumbered the Western full-bloods and tensions began to mount. The Eastern newcomers wanted their form of government to replace the government already put in place by the Western Cherokees, who of course, objected to such displacement of their own powers, and was also against the provisions of the Treaty of New Echota.
During the Civil War, the Keetoowah, also known as "Pin Indians," sided with the Union, opposing slavery and defending their traditional way of life.
In 1859, the Keetoowahs adopted a constitution, calling itself the “Keetoowah Society.” The original object of the Society was to maintain and assert the rights of all the Cherokee people or the Cherokee Nation under the laws and treaties with the government of the United States.
Following the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936, the Keetoowahs organized under the legislation. In 1946 President Harry Truman signed the bill that recognized the Keetoowahs for the purposes of organizing under the OIWA.
In 1950, the Keetoowah people ratified the Constitution/By-Laws and the Federal Corporate Charter.
These events have shaped the tribe’s identity and strengthened its resolve to exercise its sovereign rights and promote the well-being of its citizens.
Contemporary Governance and Community Development:
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma operates under a constitution that establishes its governing structure and defines the rights and responsibilities of its members. The tribe’s government is responsible for providing essential services to its citizens, including healthcare, education, housing, and social services.
The tribe also actively engages in economic development initiatives to create jobs and opportunities for its members. These initiatives include tribal enterprises, tourism, and partnerships with private sector businesses.
Looking to the Future:
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma faces both challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. The tribe remains committed to preserving its cultural heritage, promoting the well-being of its citizens, and exercising its sovereign rights. Through its dedication to tradition, self-determination, and community development, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is poised to thrive for generations to come.