I am 3/4 Cherokee my father's family survived the trail of tears and was born on the reservation in Oklahoma. He left the reservation. At 15 when his parents died traveled to St. LOUIS MO. I was born when my parents were much older and my dad's second family. My mother was Cheerokee and Irish her mother was full Cherokee my maternal grandfather was an Irish immigrant My father taught me a great deal about my native history and I am extremely proud of my heritage. I am blessed

Beautiful and honest documentary of our people. Such a blessing the language is returning after a long and bitter sleep.

I just took my daughter to Echota today. I picked two flowers at the side of the road,one for her and one for our ancestors. She placed it on the marker 300 yards where the city use to be. It's a shame how the Cherokee were denied the ability to keep their history.

My grandfather was Cherokee. He raised his family this way and my father raised us this way. Our family lives all over but my father made sure we knew our family. He showed faith in God every day.

My great grandmother is a full blooded cherokee woman but the strong physical traits of the white men married into the family and eventual marriage of more white couples in the family has left me very pale with blue eyes. But i thank the cherokee people of Oklahoma who still treated me like i could learn like the full blooded kids. I appreciate the kindness that stays with me from the tribe. I grew up feeling love from the cherokee people i met and overwhelming acceptance. I hope to share that as i get older and have kids. I really hope to use this language in my life, to keep its sound echoing through time.

You will not find a more beautiful person than Lou Jackson. So thankful for this documentary!

My family was on the Daws Roll when they came west through the trail of tears. I may only be ¼ Cherokee but my father was raised by his white mother and I was raised by my white mother. I'm almost 30 and I'm just now learning about my culture. I know more about my mother's Scottish culture than I do about my grandfather's Cherokee culture. I'm looking forward to learning more.

Am 1/8th Cherokee Indian proud member of eastern band of the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina USA and am a Wolf clan.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful film.

My great-great grandmother and her mother were on the Trail of Tears! My great grandmother was born on the Trail of Tears and my grandmother was born after they reached the reservation in Broken Bow, Oklahoma!

My Great Grandfather was full blooded Cherokee from the Paw Paw Kentucky area, and that's where my Mother was raised also. I'm proud of both my Cherokee & Hillbilly Ancestry. I was raised in the North, but did move to & live in Kentucky for 20 years. Best people in the world.

Thank you so much for sharing yourselves .My ancestors came to this beautiful land in the 1680,s . In New York , I,m French on both sides , my fathers side got burnt out of France in the 1600,s and fled to this land , my mothers side I found came from France to England between the mid to late 900,s . Then eventually to Plymouth . I live in the Alleghany Plateau of the Appilachian Mountains , in north central Pennsylvania . I love the hills and the wilds, we have alot of forest . I feel at peace and very spiritual out in these places and dream that I could be back in the old days living , give and take from the forests . Sorry I rambled , Thank You so much for Sharing , May the Creator of All Bless you and yours .

Beautiful documentary. It's nice to see the village where they lived. No walls, no guns, no powerful rulers. This is true freedom.

I’ve got a little bit of Cherokee heritage in me. It’s cool to learn more about it. I wish history had gone a little differently. I think if natives had been able to win the cultural wars we would not be in such an environmental crisis.

This is amazing. I am a descendant of European (Italian) immigrants to this country, and I am so glad and proud to learn about the indigenous Native Cherokee people who live in this area (I'm in North Carolina, the Piedmont, and I'm an immigrant from NY). Thank you so much.

My grandmother is Cherokee through her Thacker line but the lady at 10 minutes could be my grandmother’s clone down to the hairstyle and glasses...So much so, I sent my dad a pic and he thought I’d found a picture of his mom. My jaw is on the floor!!! 😱 My family are Southeastern Kentucky since around 1790 & my Sizemore line hid Natives in caves during the Trail of Tears. I just can’t help but to cry thinking about that time. It’s broke my heart since I was a child. 😞😢

my grandfather is Cherokee and from swain county... the museum has a statue of my very very great family member sequoia ....when my grandfather came to the charlotte area he for some reason had his last name changed from "guess" to "Johnson" ...i remember my grandfather speaking to someone in Cherokee language when we visited family and i wish i would have asked him to teach me when he was alive...and seeing that gravel road running along the creek dead end into the trees he told us about the cabin he was raised in up in those woods and talking about a friend of his named Jim Swaney whom is probably deceased now as well.....and now the government has taken it all =(.

I grew up beside new echota and found out that I had ancestors that lived there and escape from the trail of tears by running to north Carolina and hide in snowbird

My home, where I grew up with Cherokee speaking grandparents. I miss it

Thank you for a very fine portrayal and true representation of our People! Blessings! A-ho!

I really enjoyed this video about the Cherokees in snowbird NC. Gingdah

I miss my mammaw!!and Pap!!God Bless all we live here together people be humble and kind!!!from Kentucky on the line were 3 states connect in mountains on dead end road and the way some are talking on here we are still at a dead end road.Be Blessed😊

Thank you for sharing this story. The Indian is owed a lot.

I learned some lessons about the Cherokee Nation in the local high school Here in New York . I were told about the Trail of Tears 😢 😢 😢 😢 😢 😢...I can relate to the Trail of Tears.... ❤

Thank God I am Cherokee and of the Paint Clan

My great grandfather was put through a native boarding school. He was a man of few words and a serious face all of the time. His mother, my great great grandmother was the same way. Tough as could be. I had the privilege of knowing both of them. They lived to be near 100 years old.

I clicked on this video not expecting to be brought to tears. As soon as I heard the singing I knew instantly that was my pastor. Pastor Bill Drywater passed a couple years back. It felt so good to hear that voice. His wife has just recently moved back to North Carolina to be with their daughters husbands family, who were eastern band. So yeah, were all one people anyways. Hard times caused confusion. I can't blame my ancestors.

This is an excellent video, and sounds so much like my people out in Hollister Halifax County. Traditional customs and ways of living as an "Indian" is just a "part of you in your heart". No paper needed to identify you with that.

My half brother shorty lives there. I wished I was close with him but I'm not and it is what it is. Now I'm in Hendersonville at the moment cooking for 53 residents in a facility over ran with covid 19. I miss home.

I'm not Cherokee I'm Choptank Nanticoke their cousin😊 This is like watching a documentary about myself and my family. This is so cool.

I love Cherokee hymn singing. They use the four point harmony like the Old Chuck Gang. My grandpa use to talk about the Cloud family and how beautiful their singing was.

I’ve come to find I’m native and proud.

that lady in the blue pants speaking she favors my mother very much. my mother is now in Heaven along with my father. when i seen this lady I thought of my mother. very pretty lady. My mother was also Cherokee, My 4x great grandmother was said to be 3/4ths cherokee. she was written in the Cherokee log books. just amazing.

thank you...my heart hungers for Cherokee

I don't have Native Americans blood. No other native ancestry at all..But I like people who respect the Earth 🌎....

Very beautiful May "The Creator" Always bless us all We Are One ☝️ 🌬🌀❤️

My grandmother on my mom's side of the family,told my father that we come from the Snowbird tribe.

The last of the Mohicans is one of my favorite movies. I've watched it at least 4 times or more!!!

My grandmother in Oklahoma was very into genealogy when I was a child. Nathan Kirkland, Cheesesquire, was my 5th great grandfather. She rooted me in knowing that this is my heritage, despite my pale skin and blonde hair. Despite these physical traits I am proud to be part of the bird clan.

Be your own people . Be Proud Cherrokee!! Shankan Wankan Mapya Hota !!!

Came here because I miss my grandmother. She was half Cherokee. What a beautiful heritage

I'm a product of the few surviving from the Trail of White Tears. Cherokee didn't cry even when their family died on trail. They carried their dead as they continued walking. The whites lined the trail crying from the sight they saw.

Am from jamaica,am of taino herittage,before i found out,when i was a child,i watched a native american movie ever since i fell in love with them,i make a little bow along with arrows made from stick and nail,i used to chase fowls for their feathers.and it is 7 years ago i found out my father was (indigenous taino)i love all native americans.we are family,

My mother was Afro American and Indian mix, she resembled An Indian, her maiden name was Snow. From her appearance she had very strong Indian genes. I’m looking forward to seeing her again in the new system.She hard a very hard life, trusting in the resurrection hope when the dead will hear his voice and come out.

Thank you for sharing this! I'm fascinated by this history! It's a crying shame what was done to our Native American ppl. We could've learned so much rather than seek dominion over their land. Progress isn't moving forward if you forget where you've been, IMHO.

Thanks for sharing and taking us along on the historical journey

I love my people

I love native American culture and customs especially cherokee got no ancestry native American but would love to learn more they have so much wisdom

Mary. You are both, 1 impossible without the other. You have a good heart. I stumbled upon the spiritual belief of my great grandmother.. Today. I practice a hodgepodge of religious beliefs and the creator"a name I had never heard exclusively any god that was who I asked to forgive me for not knowing names or his will. So I just let him guide me. I have sang to deer & birds for hours. I know of this sounds crazy but faith is uniquely the same everywhere u look. I feel that only fuels it's validity. all life is the honorable in my heart, but I'm proud of my survivors. My Cherokee Heritage is honorable. .

Great documentary! My husbands grandmother that raised him was Cherokee and Blackfoot. She was a Christian woman that always took care of the babies in the church nursery for free. She would give the pay back. If not for her what would my husband have done!? She is his real mother. I met my husband at that church. God bless and keep you guys! 🙏🫶🏻🙂

My grand father is half Cherokee so my mom was a quarter and I and my sister are 1/8th. Wish we knew more of the traditions we came from.

Thank you alot to take in

Thank you for this!

Almost every day I use some of the Cherokee language of the little bit that I know and this makes me feel so truly American. This is what for a goodly part really makes America great, being able to align myself as one who is mostly of European origin to function in the moment by enjoying the use of an American language, the Cherokee tongue.

My Greatgrandmother was one of the ones who hid and stayed in the East. She later married a Choctaw Chief. My Grandmother was half and half! DNA testing revealed that in the roll of the DNA dice, most of my DNA is American First Nations. I’ve been told that I very much look like my main DNA heritage! At 70 years of age, my hair is still dark, my skin is darker compared to Europeans, and my facial features are just like my Grandmother’s and as stated, she was full blooded Native American…half Cherokee and half Choctaw. Ancestry has verified this bloodline! I have always felt that pull. My Grandmother taught me a great deal. If you had an ailment, she knew exactly which herb from the forest to get to make you feel better. She lived to be 107 years old, best that we could tell. I miss her a great deal!

THANK YOU FOR SHAREING

Thanking for teaching - hopefully the past can make a strong foundation of good now and into the tomorrow's.

I am not Cherokee but I believe we are all human beings and we are all synchronized so we are all part of everyone and if you tap into your real true self you will find more love and care from nature and people who cherish the real beliefs in humanity as they truly are with all differences and similarities as long as someone is good and by his and her behaviours brings good into this world should be let free accepted and have all the rights to live according to such freedom and discovery without good foundation that is tradition we won't be able to carry ourselves through this world into the new being of ourselves and another so we need to be open hearted open minded for another discovering new cultures is always an incredible journey for all our senses and mind it can help to heal from unhealthy social script and connect with more powerful healing sources and wisdom thank you for this documentary ! 💚

my grandmother still alive she was born in 1923 in Alabama and she always tell me that my ancestors was crow tribe .

Interesting, informative video. Beautiful people. Thank you.

Fabulous!

My family is from Jackson County. I dream of one day returning.

My mother who would be 95 this year always told us that her mother was half cherokee indian, born in South Carolina. She died from burst appendicitis when my mother was five, around 1930, in Massachusetts.

I come from Cochise County Arizona........ We have a ranch near Tombstone we also employ Chiricahua Apache Native Americans as ranch hands..... They are expert horse wranglers they have a way with the horses they call it horse whispering its uncanny the horses do what ever the Chiricahua want them to do......... As well as Horses i have witnessed an Apache snake dance .... They dance and handle live Rattle Snakes...... Again these reptiles are completely under their control The Chricahua live for the land on the land ... not like us white Americans take take if only we could listen but we are deaf They are a proud Nation ...I am proud to say i know them / work with them and share their culture ........ For although what has happened in passed years they can still care for us ..... incredible there is not a thing they wouldn't do for us and us likwise ............ If more people in our Country were as kind thoughtful as Chiricahua it might just be one hell of a better place..... My Great great great parents came from England in the early 1800s.... Crossed America by wagon train along with thousands of other white pioneers Every one contributed some way to make our Country a place where freedom is precious Thank God for America Amen

The Cherohala Skyway runs through the Snowbird Mountains from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC, there is no more beautiful place on earth

My father and his father ,my Grandfather ,were both born on the reservation. My Grandfather on my mothers side was also born there. My mothers father was Rev. Ronald Holland that was a circuit preacher in that entire area for most of his life!! He was Ronnie Milsap's Godfather and was also named after him I've been told. There is a book for sale on Amazon titled "High Calling The Journey of a Mountain Preacher" that explains it much better than I can.

I recently found out my grandmother father was a snowbird Cherokee he's a rattler I knew her mother line was Cherokee but they where in the painttown area

Great video

Proud 1% Eastern Band Cherokee... My 5 times great grandfather was from The Smokies. I am so proud and so deeply connected (from an early age) to every Cherokee!! Ayo! 🙏 While being proud I am so upset, I don't connect to my euro side at all..... I'm actually ashamed of them!

Many whites even those in places of authority are deceived - not nearly as smart as they think they are. I have repented of pride and all my sins and have come to have a deep respect and love for our Native Americsns. Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He makes all the difference in attitude, behavior and relationship. Fellowship is so precious. Thank you for this valuable documentary. God bless America as we continue to learn truth and change our ways where truth requires.

dude, this is cool

I have Tsalagi ancestors from both my father and mother. Dad's mom, the only grand parent I knew growing up, told how her own grandmother came from "eastern Tennessee and told stories of coming to eastern KY in a covered wagon". I remember the highway going over the mountains where the tunnels are now (into Harrogate, Tn and its hard to imagine horses crossing them while pulling a wagon load of stuff. Automobiles often over heated trying to cross there.

As I was watching, my brother appeared. His name is Fred Bradley and is a Cherokee story teller.

I love you all forever

Ella Jackson looks VERY physically similar to my grandmother, who had a great grandmother that was full blooded Cherokee in late 1800’s. Wonder if we are related.

This woman looks so much like my grandfather's sisters. I often come just to hear her Bless Osiyo

Shkee I am Saw-la-gee and will always will be ❤

Two of my three times great-grandmother's Eastern band Cherokee I'm both North and South Carolina

this world is twisted that they would protect a fish and not a people?? I live close to old town hiwassee in tn it's absolutely beautiful that's where the warrior path starts on starr mountain and goes to tellico town a great cherokee town but long gone

I want to visit this again I want to find ones that live in Snow Bird

Siyu osiwotsu to all Cherokee nations

Are there any low income rentals around Cherokee county .. My granny was half Cherokee. I’m retired and very interested in learning about my Cherokee genes.. Watching documentaries about the Cherokee seem to speak to my heart.

Nice to know the history of my great-grandmothers people

She reminds me of my granny toots, they look a lot alike! 🥰

I am sorry for the loss of your Elders. I must say, it saddens me a bit to see my people baptizing themselves to Christianity. So much was taken...but, I am happy if you're happy.

Proud to be African Cherokee and blackfoot native

Why do so many white or black Americans say they are part Cherokee? Did the story outlast the single ancestor they may have had 200 years ago?

Never Forget! ☮️

I honor my ancestors of the Deer Clan, and my eastern relatives; we remember.

Ive been told my whole life that I'm part Cherokee. My mothers mother carried the look, however as for me, i look strongly like my grandfather. Blue eyed blonde hair. Her sir name was Davis, and after researching the Davis name, it seems they come from Wales, Europe And also from the African continent! Lol! I would LOVE to know if I'm Cherokee. Any easy way to research it. I cant find anything past my great grand parents. Very disappointing! Any advice is greatly appreciated. Much love and respect, you all are such beautiful people! ❤

I'm Cherokee and Apache!

I share a history with the White Top Mountain Laurel Band, That the Cherokee tribes (Families) was hidden by the Stick People Tribe. We helped many of the tribes that were hidden from trail Of Tears on the northern exile some in that area may call it the tri-county area, into the Northern bands My understanding is that it was from the Laurel Springs earea. Our history and culture society is looking for more information that I was told That I may be able to contact to get more information

i'm proud to be cherokee

My great grandfather had several interactions with the Cherokee around 1900 in the Low Gap area of N.C..

Wanting to learn of my ancestory of the Cherokee, I'm am half Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux

very good documentary.The only point of contention I have concerns the historical accounts regarding New Echota and the circumstances surrounding removal.Actually,the U.S.in 1809 strongly suggested the Cherokee begin migrating west.Chief Tholuntuskee of the Upper towns was basically compelled to migrate from his area around Ft.Southwest point.This due to white encroachments.He took 12 towns with him.Later ex.principal Chief Black fox and old Chief Takatoka migrated to what is now n.Arkansas.Later the Chickasaw agreed to cede lands close to the Cherokee lower towns where after 1800, the Cherokee National Councils were held.Pathkiller of Wills town took the place of Principal Chief from Little turkey of Turkey's town.Glass and Dick Justice of Running Water town were 2 & 3 in the nation Toochle was the acting principal Chief.Their interpreters were Charles Hicks and Richard Taylor who were actually employed at the Cherokee agency under agent Return J.Meigs.Agent Meigs sub.agent was William Lovely.So, Following the loss of the southern boarder where the principal towns were located these Chief finally agreed to the 1817 exchange of lands and immigration treaty.This was encouraged by their agent,Sec.of war John C.Calhoun ,Gen.Andrew Jackson who was also supt.of Indian affairs at this time and president James Monroe.When the treaty was going through the ratification process Tholuntuskee Hummingbird and other Chief's met with Chief's of the eastern Nation at Knoxville in Feb.1818.They all then traveled to Washington where the agents and interpreters were.President Monroe wished them well.When they did migrate to Arkansas the interpreters and trader John Ross who were also commissioners for these Chiefs in a subordinate capacity then assumed control of the Cherokee Nation and in 1819,created new town,later named New Echota.So they were allowed to take over the Cherokee Nation east as the real Chief's were actually fooled by this migration to new troubless land scheme.For more information see my Facebook pages : Arkansas Cherokee Chief's 1809-1828 and my Cherokee people at Arkansas Cherokee Old Photos. sg'i nole nvwadohivdv itsatseligi,gesesdi. Paul.

Many years ago I found out that my great grandfather is Creek, my grandmother never spoke of anything about that part of my family, I have been trying to learn everything I can,, the culture, language, dress, everything I can about Creeks

So Beautiful. The 3 fires the 5 doorways 🙏🌈🌎🌱🐦🐛🦋🌬🌪💦🔥🌎

My mother was born and raised in little Snowbird North Carolina.

Google, "The Trail of Tears", by Aquilla Ose Fleetwood, youtube! Listen to what my g g grandmother recorded of her account! I have a book with her troubles and trials before, during, and after the trek! Awee Wolf, my g g g grandmother survived although in her old age! Wa do! (My cousin Jennifer Cain Sparks, assembled the book) Thanks Jennifer....