The Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in northeastern Oklahoma. The tribe has a rich history that spans centuries, and a significant portion of that history revolves around its relationship with the federal government. One of the most important agreements that the Cherokee Nation made with the federal government was the Treaty of New Echota in 1835.
The Treaty of New Echota was a controversial agreement that resulted in the forced removal of thousands of Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in what is now Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The treaty was signed by a small group of Cherokee leaders who did not represent the majority of the tribe, including Chief John Ross, who opposed the treaty. Despite this, the treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1836, and the Cherokee people were given two years to leave their homes and move west to Indian Territory.
The main provisions of the treaty included the cession of Cherokee lands to the federal government in exchange for $5 million, the establishment of a new Cherokee territory in Indian Territory, and the promise of protection by the federal government. The treaty also provided for the creation of a national council to govern the Cherokee Nation and established a process for the distribution of the treaty funds to individual Cherokee families.
The forced removal of the Cherokee people from their lands, known as the Trail of Tears, was a dark chapter in American history. Thousands of Cherokee people died during the journey, which was marred by disease, starvation, and harsh weather conditions. Nevertheless, the Cherokee Nation persevered and established a new home in Indian Territory, which later became the state of Oklahoma.
The Treaty of New Echota remains a controversial topic to this day, and its legacy continues to shape the relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the federal government. Despite the hardships that the Cherokee people faced, their resilience and determination have ensured that their culture and traditions survive to this day.