"Cherokee chief opens Highland Games in Scotland"

[Monkey@Arms]

From "Indian Country Today":

The orange flag with yellow stars symbolizing the seven Cherokee clans swayed brightly among swinging kilts and skirling bagpipes at the Highland Games in Nethy Bridge, Scotland.

On Aug. 14, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chadwick “Corntassel” Smith served as honorary chieftain of the Abernethy Highland Games during Clan Grant’s annual gathering in the Spey Valley. Heading a delegation of 30 Cherokee from Oklahoma, Smith paraded in the colorful opening procession alongside their host, Lord Strathspey, the 33rd Hereditary Chief of Clan Grant.

* * * SNIP * * *

A Scottish connection is by no means unique among North American Indians. Today, there are huge numbers of Natives in Canada and the U.S. descending from Scotsmen who married into dozens of tribal nations. Historically, multitudes of these Scots were driven from their homelands in forced evacuations known as the Highland Clearances. Thousands were exiled war captives. Others joined the British army and were sent to garrisons on the colonial frontier. Whatever the historic causes of their migrations, the result is that many tens of thousands of North American Indians now trace some of their bloodlines to Scotland.

Half a dozen of the principal chiefs of the Cherokee Nation since the late 1700s descend from Scotsmen such as John Adair, Anthony Foreman, Ludovic Grant, Daniel Ross and John Stuart (called “Bushyhead” by his Cherokee in-laws).

More here

Best regards,

Jake

[macwilkin]

From "Indian Country Today":




More here

Best regards,

Jake

Thank you, Jake, for posting this "wee gem" of an article!

Lord Strathspey is our local Scottish society's honourary patron, and one of our more active members is of Scottish-Cherokee blood -- she'll be tickled pink to read this!

T.

[cavscout]

Wado Jake! I don't think this was even reported by the Cherokee Phoenix. Very cool story.

[Bigkahuna]

It would have been nice if the Cherokee wore their traditional dress. That flag by the way is not the Cherokee National Flag. I believe it is the flag of the Western Band of the Cherokee.

[macwilkin]

It would have been nice if the Cherokee wore their traditional dress. That flag by the way is not the Cherokee National Flag. I believe it is the flag of the Western Band of the Cherokee.

Yes, it is the Cherokee Nation flag:

http://www.cherokee.org/Culture/91/Page/default.aspx

T.

[Bigkahuna]

The only flag I have ever seen used by the Eastern Band is the Cherokee Seal on a yellow background. Obviously the Western Band use something different.

[macwilkin]

The only flag I have ever seen used by the Eastern Band is the Cherokee Seal on a blue background. Obviously the Western Band use something different.

The information quoted is from the Cherokee Nation's web site, and the flag in question is featured prominently there:

http://www.cherokee.org/

If that's not official, then I don't know what else would be. There are three bands of Cherokee recognized by the Federal government, and several groups that are recognized by states such as Missouri (Northern Cherokees) but not by the BIA.

T.

[Bigkahuna]

The Cherokee Nation's website is representative of only the Western Band of the Cherokee. Not the Eastern Band and as such cannot truly represent itself as the Cherokee Nation.

[macwilkin]

The Cherokee Nation's website is representative of only the Western Band of the Cherokee. Not the Eastern Band and as such cannot truly represent itself as the Cherokee Nation.

The simple fact remains, however, that the flag displayed at the Games in Scotland WAS a legitimate Cherokee flag. It is recognized by not only their tribal government, but also by the Federal government -- I've seen it on display at the Ft. Smith National Historic Site as part of their "Five Civilized Tribes" display. If Chief Smith is a member of the Western Cherokee band, then it was right to display that flag.

T.

[davidlpope]

It would have been nice if the Cherokee wore their traditional dress. That flag by the way is not the Cherokee National Flag. I believe it is the flag of the Western Band of the Cherokee.

In the photos posted with the article Chief Smith is wearing traditional Cherokee dress.

David