There are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes: the
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the United Keetoowah Band in Oklahoma, and the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Other Cherokee communities
in Alabama, Georgia, and other states are considered unofficial by the US
government. The Eastern Cherokee people live on a reservation.
Indian reservations are lands that belong to Native American tribes and are
under their control. The Oklahoma Cherokee people live on trust land, though
many Cherokees call it a reservation anyway. The Keetowah Cherokee do not have
a land base. Each Cherokee tribe has its own government, laws, police, and
services, just like a small country. However, Cherokee Indians are also US
citizens and must obey American law.
In the past, each Cherokee band was led by one war chief and one peace chief. Cherokee chiefs were chosen by a
tribal council. Cherokee war chiefs were male, but the peace chief could be a
woman. Today, Cherokee tribal councils and chiefs can be either gender and are
popularly elected, like senators and governors.
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the United Keetoowah Band in Oklahoma, and the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Other Cherokee communities
in Alabama, Georgia, and other states are considered unofficial by the US
government. The Eastern Cherokee people live on a reservation.
Indian reservations are lands that belong to Native American tribes and are
under their control. The Oklahoma Cherokee people live on trust land, though
many Cherokees call it a reservation anyway. The Keetowah Cherokee do not have
a land base. Each Cherokee tribe has its own government, laws, police, and
services, just like a small country. However, Cherokee Indians are also US
citizens and must obey American law.
In the past, each Cherokee band was led by one war chief and one peace chief. Cherokee chiefs were chosen by a
tribal council. Cherokee war chiefs were male, but the peace chief could be a
woman. Today, Cherokee tribal councils and chiefs can be either gender and are
popularly elected, like senators and governors.