The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

All across the country thousands of Cherokee Indians can be found but one of the most popular groups is the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This group is a federally recognized band of Cherokee Indians in the United States. They are located on the Qualla Boundary and receive their money from federal grants and state funds as well as tourism and the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, which came about in the 1990’s.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is not affiliated in any way with the Cherokee Nation or the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians from Oklahoma. Some of the most famous members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians include the following people:

  • Amanda Crowe: 1928-2004
  • Charles George: 1932-1952
  • Junaluska: 1775-1868
  • William Holland Thomas: 1805-1893
  • Nimrod Jarrett Smith: 1837-1893
  • Yonaguska: 1759-1839

William Holland Thomas was the adopted caucasian son of Chief Yonaguska, who did not want the Cherokee Indians to participate in the march on the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma Territory.

Some of the related ethnic groups of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians include Iroquois (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora), Nottoway, Meherrin, Coree, Wyandot and Mingo.

The religion practiced by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is Christianity (Southern Baptist), Traditional. The members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians speak English and Cherokee.

There are three main regions of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and they are the ones located in North Carolina, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. There are approximately 13,000 members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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