Cherokee Nation: A History of Survival, Self Determination, and Identity

The history of the Cherokee Nation has been a long and winding road from ancient traditions and self governance to survival and a return to self determination. Throughout the ups and downs successes and tragedies, the one constant has been a strong sense of identity. To be Cherokee is to be proud of a common heritage. In this survey of Cherokee history, the authors have used selected stories and key leaders to trace the challenges and opportunities that have shaped tribal identity. The narrative spans more than four centuries with an emphasis on individual leadership, the struggle for internal unity, and the fight against the forces that attempted to destroy the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation. Hopefully, the reader will connect the dots of history to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a Cherokee in the Twenty-first Century.