CHEROKEE NATION of OKLAHOMA
TURTLE ISLAND
The History of the World in a Pecan Shell.
According to legends of the ancient Cherokee of long ago, they thought that the earth was an Island on the back of a huge snapping turtle. Floating somewhere between the sky vault and the world below and in the center of all the oceans of the four directions.They fashioned the pattern of their clothing according to their environment, landscape, and in keeping with their spiritual dreams and beliefs. The people dressed in prepared deerskins, until the Europeans arrived and brought woven cloth. Which was much easier to deal with. They then rapidly adapted their clothing from tanned skins to cloth.
These pages are dedicated to our people, the Cherokee [Cherokee is Muskogeon word that means "they who speak a different language"], the name of the people in our language is [ani yun-wi'ya - "I am of the Principle People"]. Who are spread all over the world.
It is unfortunate that all the various fragments of our people can not get together and agree to be one family again. I have never understood why our people, who are all of the same Honored Mother cannot agree to come together and bury the hatchet.
Lets us all pray to the Great Breath Giver that we may all come together again - SOON - very soon.
If we could do this and work together, we would be the greatest Nation on earth. I call on all of our brothers and sisters to come together and be ONE great nation again. Lets us be what our name implies; "THE PRINCIPLE PEOPLE."
Coming-out of Masheli - age 1, before the Cherokee Nation West at Tahlequah, Oklahoma - 1985. Chief Ross Swimmer carried her around the ceremonial grounds and presented her to the people.
1996 Fall Regional Finales Rendevous, Lake Eufala, Oklahoma - "Guests of Honor"
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Masheli - her duties as Oke-Hee Princess - 1997 - American Indian Heritage Week
Honoring the Princess' American Indian Heritage Week, Ponca City School District, Masheli 1997 Oke-Hee Princess
1998 - White Eagle Park, Ponca Nation Cultural Center, my daughter Masheli and myself.
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Masheli and her son, my grandson; Jay Michael Robins [Chula Te-simbo "Mad Fox"]
Masheli and Jay at the Otoe-Missouri Encampment, Otoe-Missouria Nation of Oklahoma
History of Cherokee Clothing
STORIES & LEGENDS of the CHEROKEE PEOPLE
This site is under construction - please come back often - I will be adding more legends