This site is designed & maintained by Ken Martin, a Cherokee of 'mixed-blood' & member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Numerous links to other websites on Cherokee history are provided. The main sections are: (i) 'History'; (ii) 'Images and Maps'; (iii) 'Genealogy' (Cherokee); (iv) 'Books and Newspapers'; and (v) 'Related Links'. In the first of the five history sub-sections, can be found the story of creation ('In the Beginning…'), this version being taken from a work by James Mooney. First European contact and the 'Trail of Tears' are among many other themes on this site. The maps, illustrating the diminution of Cherokee land following European contact, are also very revealing.

Included here is a brief history of the Cherokee Nation, a discussion of the 'Trail of Tears' (1838), which followed the Indian Removal Act, and discussions of the Rev. Samuel Worcester, and Redbird Smith, a Cherokee who believed the greatest threat to his people's survival was acculturation into 'White' society. In 1832, Samuel Worcester defended the Cherokee's sovereignty over their land before the Supreme Court against Georgia's attempt to refute it. The court decided in favour of the Cherokee, although President Andrew Jackson subsequently defied the decision when he enforced Cherokee removal. Worcester also helped to establish the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper, the principle task of which might be regarded as the affirmation and re-enforcement of Cherokee culture and identity.

An extensive site that introduces various aspects of Cherokee life and culture

A short essay on the history of the Cherokees.

The Cherokee Nation brought this case before the Supreme Court in defence of their claim to the land occupied by them, against Georgia's own claim to it. Georgians had invaded Cherokee land in 1829 when gold was discovered there; Cherokees were evicted from their homes and their livestock was confiscated. Then, on May 28th, 1830, the Indian Removal Act was passed, already threatening the removal of the Cherokee from their land. The Georgia legislature had also announced in 1829, its intention to place Cherokee lands under state jurisdiction effective from June 1st, 1830. Thus, this court case came at a time of great tension, and the stakes were high.

The Trail of Tears.