Here is one of the final destinations on our trip in April of this year. Since my great-grandmother was a Shawnee squaw I have a definite interest in native american culture and history. In some ways I value that part of my heritage more than the European parts.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is in Cherokee, NC. Of course one of the most remembered events about the Cherokees was their “Trail of Tears” forced on them by Andrew Jackson when he was president. This was when they were basically rounded up with nothing but what was on their backs and put to a forced march to Oklahoma. Many of the older citizens and young children died during this journey. Jackson, who has a firm believer that the only good indian is a dead indian, had no compassion for this part of God’s children. The day after we left this museum we visited Jackson’s home called the Hermitage. I will discuss more about him in the next post.

The Cherokees had a rich history in this area prior to their removal. I don’t know that I learned how they managed to come back to their native land but the museum is on their current reservation. Anyone wanting to know more about this band of native Americans a visit to the museum would be very worthwhile.