An few quick thoughts

» StateOFranklin - Updates and other things

O'siyo:

First a quick update. I had written you previously about some issues that were facing the Eastern band of Cherokee.
1) First it looks as though Fort Loudon will be saved. A large public outcry helped to ensure that the Fort would retain it's State Park status. This will also greatly help the Sequoyah Museum which is located across the highway from the fort.
2) It appears that Nancy Ward's grave will remain intact! The highway will, most likely, not encroach on the property. This has relieved many people. I recently visited the grave and noted a marked increase in honorariums offered there. She remains the Beloved Woman of many people today.
3)The dig at Townsend continues. The graves that have been found have so far been left intact, but The Dept. of Transportation has bulldozers poised to continue the road as soon as the archeologists conclude. I was there yesterday, and the road is now graded right up to where the dig begins.
4)A new offensive has arisen by the Dept. of Transportation. On the campus of the University of Tennessee there is an ancient Burial Mound. TDOT has designed a concept plan which would put a road right through it. When questioned about this the representative for TDOT said "I didn't know there was a mound there".

Now for some other thoughts.
Many people believe that Nancy Ward and Attakullakulla were traitors to their people because of the actions they took protecting white settlers. I would like your response to this before I post mine.

I remain YMOS:
Jim Buckenmyer
Editor Early Frontier History
Suite101.com

-- posted by StateOFranklin

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» Cookie123 - Updates.....

O'siyo, Jim!
It is truly good to hear that Fort Loudon and Nancy Ward's graves will be protected! I will keep praying for the rest of the sites and burial mounds to be protected as well.

As for whether I feel Nancy Ward or Attakullakulla were traitors or not - NO, emphatically. I don't know much about Attakullakulla, but I know that Nan-ye-hi spoke from her heart and only wished for peace between her people and the white people. She felt she was helping her own people escape from the white man's wrath by protecting and aiding white settlers.

My personal opinion of who the traitors were would be the Ridges and Waties. They were the leaders of the movement to sign the treaties giving away the Cherokee land and removing the Cherokee from their homes. They also were the ones who kept the rift between the Cherokee people once they were relocated in Indian Territory. They fought on the Confederate side of the Civil War, in favor of slavery.

My next article will be in regards to Stand Watie.

I apologize for my tardiness in submitting my articles, I have been ill and will catch up as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,
Karen Sanchez
Editor Cherokee Nation
Suite101.com

-- posted by Cookie123

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