Cherokee Nation of Mexico

This article is about the name of the tribe that is also known as the "Cherokee Nation of Mexico". For information about the people as a whole, see Cherokee.

Cherokee Nation of Mexico

Flag of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico
Regions with significant populations
United States (Mexico, Texas, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León
Languages
English, Spanish
Religion
Christianity (Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Messianic, Latter Day Saints) Noachite, Noachic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Priestly, Abrahamic religions Noahidism
Related ethnic groups
other Cherokee tribes, enrolled within tribe: Cherokee Freedmen and Clan adoption of "Strangers"

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎺᏥᎧ or Tsalagihi Me-tsi-ka), also known as “The Cherokee Nation of Sequoyah of Mexico, Texas the U.S.A. Reservation and Church” is headquartered in Dripping Springs, Texas withs members residing in Mexico, Texas, the United States of America and elsewhere. Over 8,000 people are currently enrolled in the Cherokee Nation of Mexico. Cherokee descendants live in Texas, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León.

The tribe has a government led by a Principal Chief. Other leaders include White Chief, and a Red Chief. Charles L. "Jahtlohi" Kingfisher Rogers M.D. M.D.H. was called as Principal Chief and Chief Priest in 2000. Regan "Waterhawk" Garrett is current White Chief, and Reynaldo Vann is current Red Chief.

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico operates five Internet radio stations all based in the United States.

Colonial Period: Cherokee Nation of Mexico History

When the first lands were sold by the Cherokee, in 1721, a part of the tribe bitterly opposed the sale, saying that if the Indians once consented to give up any of their territory tin whites would never be satisfied, but would soon want a little more, and a little again, until at last there would be none left tor the Indians. Finding all they could say not enough to prevent the treaty, they determined to leave their old homes forever and go far into the West, beyond the Great river, where the white men could never follow them. They gave no heed to the entreaties of their friends, but began preparations for the long march, until the others, finding that they could not prevent their going, set to work and did their best to lit them out with pack horses loaded with bread, dried venison, and other supplies.

When all was ready they started, under the direction of their chief. A company of picked men was sent with them to help them in crossing the great river, and every night until they reached it runners were sent back to the tribe, and out from the tribe to the marching band, to carry messages and keep each party posted as to how the other was getting alone. At last they came to the help of those warriors who had been sent with them. Those then returned to the tribe, while the others kept on to the west. All communication was now at an end. No more was heard of the wanderers, and in time the story of the lost Cherokee was forgotten or remembered only as an old tale.

Still the white man pressed upon the Cherokee and one piece of land after another was sold, until as years went on the dispossessed people began to turn their faces toward the west as their final resting place, and small hands of hunters crossed the Mississippi to learn what might be beyond. One of these parties pushed on across the plains and there at the foot of the great mountains — the Rockies — they found a tribe speaking the old Cherokee language and living still as the Cherokee had lived before they had ever known the white man or his ways.

Sequoyah, who had occupied a prominent position in the affairs of the Old Settlers and assisted much in the reorganization of the Nation had become seized with a desire to make linguistic investigations among the remote tribes, very probably with a view of devising a universal Indian alphabet. His mind dwelt also on the old tradition of a lost band of Cherokee living somewhere toward the western mountains. In 1841 and 1842, with a few Cherokee companions and with him provisions and papers loaded in an ox cart, he made several journey into the West, received everywhere with kindness by even the wildest tribes. Disappointed in his philologic results, he started out in L843 in quest of the lost Cherokee, who were believed to be somewhere in northern Mexico, but. being now an old man and worn out by hardship, he sank under the effort and died alone and unattended, it i< said — near the village of San Fernando, Mexico, in August of that year. Rumors having come of his helpless condition, a party had been sent out from the Nation to bring him back, but arrived too late to find him alive.

In 1807 an early band of Cherokees, most likely migrating south from the Arkansas area of the Louisiana Territory, founded a village along the Red River. That same year, an inter-tribal delegation, including Cherokees, petitioned the Spanish officials at Nacogdoches for permission to settle there, which was granted. Cherokee immigration into Texas increased between 1812 and 1819. The Republic of Texas, following Sam Houston's recommendations, established a reservation for Cherokees, but the negotiated Treaty of 1836 was never ratified. "

Chief Bowl (ca. 1756–1839) led a band of Cherokees into Texas in 1819. V.O. King wrote in 1898: "In the year 1822 a convention was made between the Cherokees and the empire of Mexico by which the Cherokees in Texas were permitted to occupy and cultivate certain lands of eastern Texas in consideration of fealty and service in case of war. Neither the empire, however, nor its successor, the Republic of Mexico, would consent to part with sovereignty in the soil, and persistently refused any other rights than those of domicile and tillage."

The Bowl, a former Chickamauga chief, led many Cherokee families into Texas in 1820. They settled near present-day Dallas but were forced by local tribes to move east into what is now Rusk County, Texas. By 1822, an estimated 800 Cherokees lived in Texas.

When Texas passed from Spanish to Mexican governance, Cherokees petitioned the new Mexican authorities for formal land grants but were denied. In 1830, an estimated 800 Cherokees lived in three to seven settlements in Texas. When the Texas Revolution came, Cherokees tried to remain neutral.

It should be recalled to mind that until the year 1824, Texas had been a province of Mexico with a department representing its capital situated at San Antonio. In that year the State of Coahuila and Texas was created, much against the will of the citizens of Texas, but it so remained until the year 1835.

Cherokee Relations with the Empire of Mexico and its successor The Republic of Mexico

In the winter of 1819 and 1820 Chief Bowles (or Bowl) led sixty of his warriors, probably of the hunter class of Indians, and their families from Arkansas into Texas, these being the first civilized tribe of Indians, perhaps, to find their way into this state.

Sequoyah's search for Cherokee refugees in Mexico

After the assault on their village in east Texas in July 1839, many Cherokees had fled south to Mexico and were now living there. Yes, now would be as good a time as any, but he had to be careful. It could be very dangerous in Texas. It wasn’t that long ago that there had been many accusations about the relationship between the Texas Cherokees and the Mexicans, and there were still many people in Texas who thought the Cherokees were not to be trusted. However, the only way to Mexico was through Texas and it was quite possible right now his trip would be misunderstood. So if he did go, it would have to be for a valid reason --- perhaps just to visit with the Cherokees who lived there. Besides, trouble and fighting was what he was anxious to get away from, So that became the story. He was going to Mexico to visit with the Cherokees who lived there.

Discovery of Sequoyah's Tomb

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico is especially proud of the May 8, 2001 insertion in the U.S. Congressional Record which lauds him and his family for their search for the grave of the famous Cherokee Sequoyah which Jim Inhofe read into the Record “honoring Sequoyah for his contribution to the Cherokee people as well as to the Rogers family for their work to preserve the legacy of this Cherokee hero."

Near Zaragosa, Coahuila, Mexico, at the ranchito of Epigmenio and Gloria Rodriguez, the Rodriguezes eventually shared the secret of the cave with Dr. Charles L Rogers and his family “because of their trust in Charles and his family and their belief that the time has come for the Cherokee people to know the final resting place of the great Sequoyah."

The area surrounding the gravesite and encompassing a few acres has since been purchased and designated by the Mexican government as the "Nacion Cherokee de Mexico." This is where we hope to re-constitute the Cherokee Nation as it used to be, according to the final wishes of Sequoyah as transmitted to the Mexican Cherokee Patinos-Rodriguez-Salinas families that protected him from capture under color of law—and eventually buried him, and then safeguarded for many generations the location of his final resting place. According to what has been told to us by oral histories, Sequoyah wanted to stay in Mexico, where the Cherokee were welcomed and befriended. Sequoyah was too aged and ill, and wouldn’t have survived the trip back to Indian Territory, which wasn’t his home. His home was where he had been born - in Tasgigi - in what is now northern Alabama. Indian Territory, where the Cherokee Nation is now located in Oklahoma, was where the American government had forced them to go and where the United States Government wanted to keep them.

Chief Rogers Petition To Coahuila's Governor

The August 1, 2001 Petition, all of which convinced the Cherokees of the March trip that the band of “the Lost Cherokee Tribe” had indeed come to Mexico as the Cherokee Advocate had indicated, and that Sequoyah had indeed died in Mexico. Thus the Petition of August 1, 2001 from the Cherokee Nation of Mexico was born.

The "Lost Cherokee" tradition as given is taken chiefly from the Wahnenauhi manuscript. There is a persistent belief among the Cherokee that a pert ion of their people once wandered far to the west or south « est, where they were sometimes heard of afterward, but were never again reunited with their tribe. It was the hope of verifying this tradition and restoring his lost kinsmen to their tribe that led Sequoya to undertake the journey on which he lost his life. These traditional lost Cherokee are entirely distinct from the historic emigrants who removed from the East shortly after the Revolution.

“To the Honorable Governor Mr. Enrique Martinez y Martinez of the Heroic and Historic State of Coahuila in the Constitutional Republic of Mexico: Greetings to the Honorable Governor Mr. Enrique Martinez y Martinez.“

“We of the Cherokee Nation of the Republic of Mexico petition you in the same spirit of union and harmony of purpose that our ancestors presented to your predecessors of the office of Governor of Coahuila Mexico in the early 1800s.“

“The Cherokee came to Coahuila after being victimized by the provincial rebels of Texas who confiscated their homes and land without the process of law and by use of military force.“

“The governor of Coahuila granted the Cherokee Amparo. Shortly thereafter two villages, each with a chief, were created in 1840; the 100 Cherokee men joined Mexican General Woll in the recovery of Tejas, taking San Antonio. “

“The recovery force passed through the patriotic town of Zaragoza, Coahuila. Its citizens included Cherokee who joined the Mexican Forces.“

“Sadly, many Mexicans had lost their lives joining them in combat and in death were 12 Cherokee men fighting for their new home and Mexico’s protection of their Ethnic identity.

“The majority of Cherokees followed the orders of the Great intellect “Sequoyah,” Mr. George Gist, which were “to stay in Mexico” which he did and he is buried in a secret tomb in Coahuila. This was his wish; this was his heart. Thus the Cherokees dispersed and hid on ranches, small Mexican villages and border cities.

“We believe that Mexico, due to its strong progressive leaders of today, is once again in line to culturally and humanistically be the leader of this hemisphere and will in time show other nations the path to peace and prosperity.

“We the Cherokee nation of Mexico ask respectfully in the spirit of brotherhood that we be recognized both presently and historically as an indigenous group of Coahuila, Mexico. We are honored to abide by the laws of the State of Coahuila and of the Constitution and Republic of Mexico.“

“May the Creator of all things continue to bless Mexico and the Mexican people.”

Respectfully submitted this 1 day of August in the year 2001 by, Signed: Dr. Charles L. Rogers M.D. Traditional chief and Physician of and for the Cherokee Nation of Mexico.

On August 22, Rogers received the letter from the Governor informing him of the State of Coahuila’s willingness to recognize the Cherokees and on August 31, 2001, Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez duly signed the document of Reconocimiento of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico in the State Capital at Saltillo with more than 40 Cherokees of Texas and Oklahoma present.

In 1836, the U.S. Secretary of War refused to allow Chief John Ross permission to sell the Cherokee lands and move the entire tribe to Mexico.

And before that, in 1721 a group of Cherokees had immigrated to the mountains of Mexico, (where Coahuila situated) and in 1822, the newly independent Republic of Mexico granted Amparo the Cherokees freedom and immigration rights to the eastern part of the Mexican province of Coahuila y Tejas. At the 2001 re-recognition ceremony at Saltillo between Coahuila and The Cherokee Nation of Mexico, the official state historian, Sr. Perez, opened the official proceedings with his presentation of old Cherokee documents granting them “amparo” or political amnesty.

Coahuilla is officially styled "Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza" (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza), is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, compose the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northeastern Mexico.

In 1895, the Western Cherokees would again consider a vote to move to Mexico and again it was denied.

The contemporary Cherokee Nation of Mexico

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Charles L. "Jahtlohi" Kingfisher Rogers, Chief Priest and Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico shaking hands with Enrique Martinez y Martinez, the Governor of The State of Coahuila, Mexico, taken at the re-recognition ceremony in Zaragosa, Coahuilla, Mexico in 2003.

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico has participated in health clinics in Mexico, and has instilled the practice of gadugi and self-reliance, revitalized language immersion programs for its children and youth, and is a powerful and positive economic and political force in Texas and Mexico.

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico hosts the Cabalgata on February 28 each year, attracting 2,000 to 3,000 Cherokee and Mexicans to Zaragosa, Coahuilla, Mexico for the festivities. Traditional dictates the Cabalagata trail ride procession must be begun by a Cherokee chief.

The Cherokee Priest House in Dripping Springs, Texas is home to the Museum of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico, which has numerous exhibitions also open to the public by appointment. The Cherokee Priest House is also the repository for the Cherokee Nation of Mexico's National Archives, which was returned to by Enrique Martinez y Martinez in 2003. Martinez y Martinez was then the governor of The State of Coahuilla, Mexico but is now Secretary of Agriculture of The Republic of Mexico.

Government

The second article of the constitution of Estados Unidos de Mexico (United Mexican States) recognizes the multicultural composition of the nation founded upon the indigenous peoples to whom the government grants the right of self-(free) determination and autonomy. According to this article the indigenous peoples are granted:

• The right to decide the internal forms of social, economic, political and cultural organization;
• The right to apply their own normative systems of regulation as long as human rights and rights of women (gender equality) are granted;
• The right to preserve and enrich their languages and culture;
• The right to elect representatives before the municipal council in which their territories are located; amongst other rights.

The nation of commits to and demands the constituent states and municipalities to promote the economic and social development of the indigenous communities as well as an intercultural and bilingual education. According to the Law of Linguistic Rights, the nation recognizes 62 indigenous languages as "national languages" with the same validity as Spanish in the territories in which they are spoken and the indigenous peoples are entitled to request public services in their languages.

Through the efforts of Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, Permanent Representative of Mexico, the Tribe is involved in The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

Because of the tribe's political (albeit nascent) status as a municipality, with all political rights inherent as such, and is styled in Estados Unidos de Mexico as "Nación Cheroqui de Mexico," and is situate within Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza, and because municipalities and Free and Sovereign States situate in Estados Unidos de Mexico are subdivisions of Mexico's federal government, the Cherokee Nation of Mexico is a participant in NAFTA and that legal status is displayed on the reverse of the tribe's identification cards, which must be renewed annually.

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico's Principal Chief, White Chief, and Red Chief are elected to lifelong terms by the registered tribal voters over the age of 18. In October 2001, Charles L "Jahtlohi" Kingfisher Rogers M.D. was elected Principal Chief to an indeterminate term of office.

At this time, The Principal chief of The Cherokee Nation of Mexico is also the Chief Medicine Priest, and is head of the executive branch of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico's Government. The White Chief acts as the Principal chief in his absence. The Red Chief acts as the tribe's ambassador and negotiator.

Tribal enrollment

Race and blood quantum are not factors in Cherokee Nation of Mexico tribal citizenship eligibility. To be considered a citizen in the Cherokee Nation of Mexico, an individual needs a family history of Cherokee ancestry, or as did Sam Houston, may apply for adoption into the Clan under the same rules that applied in Precolumbian Cherokee times.

The tribe currently has members who also have African, Latino, Asian people, White European and other mixed ancestries. Members of the Kickapoo Saguacho (Ute), Dilahuas, Corates and Caddos joined the Cherokee Nation in the Mexico's province of Coahuillla and Tejas, as did other Texas tribes of Quapaws, Buloies, Iowanes, Alabamas, Coshaties, Caddos of Neches, Tamocuttakes, Untangous, in the early 19th century.

File:CherokeeNationMexicoIDCards.jpg

Top: Current Tribal Member Photo ID Card (first issued in 2012)

Tribal relationship with Cherokee heritage groups

Main article: Cherokee Heritage Groups

The Cherokee Nation of Mexico participates in numerous joint programs other groups. The Cherokee Nation of Mexico also participates in and invites any and all cultural exchange discussions involving councilors from all Cherokee Nations, bands and tribes and groups, which address issues affecting the spiritual unity of all of the Cherokee people.

File:CherokeeNationOfMexicoseal.png

Seal of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico

See also

• Indigenous peoples of Mexico
• Timeline of Cherokee removal

Notes

External links

• Cherokee Nation of Mexico, official website
• American Cherokee Association
• Archaeology magazine update on Cactus Hill