What is Eastern Band Cherokee? What is Cherokee Nation?
Eastern Band Cherokee
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians live in western North Carolina. They are descended from members of the Cherokee tribe who managed to avoid the forced diaspora to present day Oklahoma from their eastern indigenous lands, a removal known as the “Trail of Tears.”
Between 1838 and 1839 the Cherokee people were forced to give up their land east of the Mississippi River, as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a federal law endorsed by president Andrew Jackson.
From “Take a Journey to the Home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” on the official Visit Cherokee, NC website:
“In 1838 the desire for more land and Georgia gold gave the [U.S.] government an excuse to forcefully remove Cherokee in the Southeast. More than 16,000 native people were marched on what would historically become known as the Trail of Tears and relocated to Oklahoma. Between 25% and 50% of the Cherokee tribe died on the Trail of Tears.
“Some members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living in modern day Western North Carolina are descendants of Trail of Tears survivors, some of whom made it to Oklahoma and then walked back home. Others are descended from Cherokee who managed to keep land they owned and did not march West. Others hid in the mountains and refused to be relocated.”
Cherokee Nation
Those Cherokee who identify as part of “Cherokee Nation” reside in Oklahoma, where survivors of the Trail of Tears ended their journey. They established a constitution for a newly-formed Cherokee community in 1839. Today, that community is made up of over 280,000 official tribal members.
From “A Proud Heritage,” on the official Visit Cherokee Nation website:
“The modern Cherokee Nation is not an isolated entity — it is all around you, encompassing 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation holds significant businesses, corporate, real estate and agricultural interests. We are a powerful and positive political force in Oklahoma. Our people benefit from a growing economy, equality and prosperity.
