History: How 800 Cherokee beat deportation when the US Army showed up with guns

The Eastern Band’s Survival from Trail of Tears

When the U.S. kicked 15,000 Cherokee off their land in 1838, just 800 stayed behind in North Carolina. Some owned land legally, others hid in mountains, a few walked back home.

Their hero was William Holland Thomas, a white trader adopted by Chief Yonaguska. Thomas bought 50,000 acres that became the Qualla Boundary.

After gaining federal recognition in 1868, these survivors built something amazing.

They formed the nation’s oldest Native American art cooperative in 1946, opened a museum in 1948, and created a living history village by 1952.

The Eastern Band’s remarkable story of resilience comes alive at the Museum of the Cherokee People, where visitors can trace their journey from near extinction to cultural renaissance.

800 Cherokee Dodged the Trail of Tears

About 800 Cherokee stayed in North Carolina during the 1838 Trail of Tears when the US government forced over 15,000 Cherokee from their homes in the Southeast.

This small group included Oconaluftee Cherokee who legally owned land with proper deeds, making them safe from removal.

Others hid in the rough mountains of western North Carolina.

Some Cherokee even walked back to their homeland after being marched west, traveling hundreds of miles through dangerous territory.

A White Man Became Their Unexpected Friend

William Holland Thomas grew up among the Cherokee as a white trader in the 1830s. Chief Yonaguska took him in as his son when Thomas was just 12.

He learned to speak Cherokee and understood their customs and way of life. Thomas owned a store but soon became the legal helper for Cherokee who stayed in North Carolina.

After Yonaguska died in 1839, tribal members asked Thomas to serve as their chief, showing how much they trusted him.

Land Buys Created a Safe Home

Between 1840 and 1860, Thomas bought over 50,000 acres using Cherokee money and his own cash. He bought these lands carefully to create a safe area where the remaining Cherokee could live.

North Carolina laws at that time stopped Indians from owning land directly, so Thomas held the properties in his name for them.

These land buys formed what we now call the Qualla Boundary, creating a permanent home for the Eastern Cherokee.

The Civil War Almost Ruined Everything

Thomas formed the “Thomas Legion” during the Civil War, a group of about 400 Cherokee soldiers who fought for the South.

The Eastern Cherokee community faced food shortages and money problems throughout the war.

Thomas spent all his money defending Cherokee interests and ended up broke with mental health problems.

The war left Cherokee lands open to outside claims, putting their future at risk without government protection.

Legal Rights Finally Came

The US government officially recognized the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1868, securing their status as a tribe.

North Carolina followed with state recognition in 1889, giving them more legal protection. The Eastern Cherokee set up their own tribal government with elected leaders.

They fought many legal battles over land rights and tribal status, slowly strengthening their position through court wins and political work.

Schools and Rules Threatened Cherokee Culture

The early 1900s brought heavy pressure on the Eastern Band to give up their traditional ways. Fewer people spoke Cherokee as younger generations learned only English.

Government boarding schools took Cherokee children from their families and stopped them from speaking their language or following cultural traditions.

Some dedicated elders kept traditional arts alive, teaching basket-making, pottery, and woodcarving in secret.

Tourism Created New Jobs

The opening of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s brought the first steady flow of tourists to Cherokee land.

New Deal programs under President Roosevelt built roads, schools, and buildings on Cherokee lands. Tribal members started selling handmade crafts to visitors, creating a new way to make money.

Community leaders worked to balance making money with keeping their culture alive as modern changes affected their way of life.

Craftspeople Joined to Save Old Skills

Cherokee craftspeople formed Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual in 1946, creating the first Native American arts group in America.

The organization set up a year-round market for real Cherokee baskets, pottery, carvings, and beadwork.

Artists earned steady income beyond just tourist seasons, helping them support their families through traditional skills.

The group set quality standards that made sure authentic techniques passed down for generations would continue.

A Museum Protected Cherokee History

The Museum of the Cherokee People opened in 1948 to save and share the tribe’s rich history. The museum collected items, photos, and historical records that told the story of Cherokee survival.

It became a learning place for both tribal members and visitors wanting to learn true information about Cherokee culture.

The museum also worked as a research center where language recordings, traditional stories, and historical documents could be properly kept.

A Living Village Showed the Past

Cherokee leaders created the Oconaluftee Indian Village in 1952 as a living history museum showing Cherokee life before removal.

The village hired tribal members to show traditional skills like making stone tools, burning canoes, and weaving baskets.

Workers built real structures including council houses, winter homes, and summer dwellings using old methods.

Visitors could see Cherokee daily life as it existed before forced removal.

Modern Cherokee Balance Tradition with Progress

The Eastern Band established the Cherokee Preservation Foundation in the 1990s to fund cultural and economic development.

Language immersion programs now teach children to speak Cherokee fluently from an early age. The tribe has grown to over 15,000 enrolled members who govern their sovereign territory of 57,000 acres.

Casino gaming revenues support healthcare, education, and housing while also funding cultural programs that keep ancient traditions alive for future generations.

Visiting Museum of the Cherokee People, North Carolina

The Museum of the Cherokee People at 589 Tsali Blvd in Cherokee, North Carolina is open daily 9am-5pm with tickets sold until 4pm.

Adult admission costs $12, children 6-12 pay $7, and kids under 5 get in free. Your self-guided tour takes about an hour to complete.

Check out the Charles George Beloved Veterans Hall showcasing Cherokee military heroes, then browse the Museum Store for authentic Cherokee artisan works and Indigenous-owned brands.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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