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Generations: Cherokee language through art
From Jordan Nelson | 00:03:38
The Cherokee Heritage Center is using art to help pass on the Cherokee language.
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The Cherokee language is thousands of years old. In 1821, Sequoyah--one of the most famous Cherokees in history--created a written syllabary of characters to represent the Cherokee language's sounds.
From the late 1800s through much of the 20th century, discrimination and English-only rules at Indian boarding schools discouraged use of the language, meaning most of today's Cherokees cannot speak their own language.
The Cherokee Heritage Center's new exhibit in Tahlequah, Okla., is using art to help pass on the native language.
Young Cherokees ride to remember
From Jordan Nelson | 00:03:41
This year, a group of young Cherokees set out on a journey to remember, on bicycle. It took them nearly 1,000 miles away from home--and back again. KOSU's Jordan Nelson, himself a Cherokee citizen, rode the last few miles with the group. Here's his report.
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These eight Cherokee citizens--ages 16 to 24--traveled the Trail of Tears by bicycle. They left the capital of the Cherokee Nation--Tahlequah, Okla.--this June and drove to New Echota, Ga., where their ancestors lived more than 170 years ago. After touring various sites around the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, they packed onto their bicycles, and began to pedal home.
A total of 12 Cherokees rode the Trail of Tears, including Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. They biked a total of about 1,000 miles, averaging 60-70 miles a day.
They returned to the Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation July 15, to much local fanfare.
The ride was the second of its kind, with a group of young Cherokees making the same trip 25 years ago in 1984. Todd Enlow, the ride organizer, hopes to make this an annual event so young Cherokees have the chance to retrace their ancestors' footsteps.
