Early Cherokee History
The Great Cherokee Nation was once the largest of all southern tribes, with an estimated population of 25,000 before the arrival of European explorers. Believed to be a branch of the Iroquois, the Cherokee Nation included approximately 135,000 square miles in North America and extended from the Ohio River in the north to what is now the state of Alabama in the south.
Today’s Cherokee Indians
Today, about 9,000 members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians dwell on 57,000 acres in the North Carolina Mountains known as the Qualla Boundary and on smaller parcels to the west. A much larger population of Cherokee belongs to the Cherokee Nation, a self-governing tribe of over 200,000 members centered on 7,000 square miles in northeastern Oklahoma.
Cherokee History in Greater Detail
The centuries between the first European contact and the present day have been filled with tragedy and triumph as the cultures of the Cherokee and the white explorers and settlers clashed time and again. It is a history of a proud, intelligent, and highly spiritual people with democratic values, a deep respect for the land, and a strong belief in balance in all aspects of life.
- Cherokee History Part 1: An Ancient People
- Cherokee History Part 2: European Contact
- Cherokee History Part 3: Trade and Conflict
- Cherokee History Part 4: Trail of Tears
- Cherokee History Part 5: Twentieth Century to Present
Cherokee history is rich and complex and can be explored further by visiting the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the Unto These Hills outdoor drama, all located in Cherokee, North Carolina.
There are many places outside of Cherokee, NC, where Cherokee history can be found, including the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, the Clay County Historical and Arts Museum, and Spikebuck Mound, the location of the Quannasee Village Council house located in Hayesville, NC. The Junaluska Museum and Memorial in Robbinsville celebrates the life of Junaluska, a prominent Cherokee leader who is a hero to both Cherokee and other Americans.
Click on the link below to hear a Living Traditions Moment about the creation of the Cherokee Alphabet.
Sequoyah’s Alphabet
