Printed in Herald Standard Sunday, December 13. 2009 UnionTown Pennsylvannia
article can be found Local section page B3
Cherokee Nation official warns of fraudulent groups
By Ginger Brown.
I read with interest the story “
Ceremony held for the White Buffalo” published recently about the
so-called elder member and ambassador of the Sovereign Cherokee nation of Oklahoma. I thought that you might want to be made aware that
this individual is not affiliated in any way with the real Cherokee Nation or with the other federally recognized Cherokee tribes.
Fraudulent groups and individuals passing themselves off as Native American have become big business over the past two decades, with more than 200 groups that claim to be some sort of Cherokee tribe.
There are also hundreds of individuals who claim to be Cherokee or from the Cherokee Nation and offer services that range from teaching culture to spiritual advice. The Cherokee nation does not question anyone’s claims of heritage or ancestry, but merely points out the significant difference between claiming heritage and having citizenship in a federally recognized Indian tribe. There are only three federally recognized Cherokee tribes; the Cherokee Nation and the Untied Keetoowah Band of Cherokee both located in Oklahoma and the Eastern band of Cherokee located in North Carolina. No group outside of North Carolina and Oklahoma has ever been recognized as a legitimate Cherokee sovereign.
The “Eastern Cherokee Nation” and “Western Cherokee Nation” including the ‘old settlers” and the “late immigrants” joined together in an Act of Union on july 12, 1839. There are no “lost” Cherokee tribes or splinter groups that hid out or dropped off the Trail of Tears.
Those who have Native American ancestry but are not eligible for citizenship in a federally recognized Indian tribe should participate in the culture through heritage groups and associations, but not groups that call themselves “tribes” or “nations.
Fake tribes and individuals with unverifiable ties to Native American citizenship often claim to be passing on Cherokee cultural knowledge and traditional arts. But the reality is that these groups and individuals dilute true Indian culture and identity. Many of them pass along cultural information that is incorrect or that perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
When seeking authentic information about tribal culture, history, traditions, genealogy and government, we urge you to look carefully into claims made by groups that are not recognized by the federal government, especially those that claim represent the Cherokee nation or another tribe. The Cherokee nation is alive and well in Tahlequah, Okla., as it has been for 170 years. Cherokee language and culture still thrive here, as well as in North Carolina with the Eastern band of Cherokee Indians. Those looking for knowledge should turn to historic, legitimate Indian tribes for such information. For further information with regard to dispelling myths and exposing frauds, call the Cherokee nation (918) 453-5000 or the Bureau of Indian Affairs at (202) 513-7650 for a list of legitimate nations, tribes and bands. For more information about the Cherokee Nation, visit our website at
www.cherokee.org and
http://tribalrecognition.cherokee.org.
Ginger Brown is the government relations officer for the Cherokee nation.
