my great grandparents survived and were registered on the Dawes Rolls. We were fortunate. As I mentioned in passing in one of my posts, the Indian Wars was the longest war the US was involved in then and since (longer than the war on drugs, war on cancer, war on terror and war on the middle class).

Cherokees were a unique case in that they did adapt to the white ways and were only violent when their lands were taken. We made the mistake with backing the British as did other colonist: but because we looked different.....

The Trail of Tears profoundly altered the culture and so much was lost. But it was decided that the best was to survive was to make do. I will give you and update this weekend.

Thanksgiving is bittersweet when we dwell on it. We are so home and family oriented though. That is what saved us. Many Cherokee refused to send their kids away to Indian School, although there has always been one in Oklahoma. You might be poor as church mice, but the family was still togather.