2008 Woodie Awards
Morrow speaks on Cherokee heritage
Updated 5/4 at 8:53 p.m.
Rita Childers
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
On Thursday, April 24, Dr. Carol Morrow, Professor of Anthropology at Southeast Missouri State University, presented "Who is a Real Cherokee and Who Decides?" in Kent library for the Athenaeum spring series.
"I'm a white girl, I'm not an Indian," Dr. Morrow started out saying. She told the audience that she doesn't try to speak for the Indians but wanted to elaborate on some questions frequently asked like, "Who is a real Cherokee?", "Is there such a person?", "Who decides?" and "Who cares?".
There are many different tribes throughout Missouri and throughout the United States and only "471 are federally recognized," Marrow explained. The only thing that makes those tribes "real" is the federal government's acknowledging their "sovereign status." Sovereign status gives these tribes the right to self govern, "function as a state" and be free from state authority, Morrow said.
Morrow went on to describe the three federally recognized groups which are the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee and the United Keetoowah Band.
Each group requires different things before you are allowed to join. For example to join the Eastern Band of Cherokee you must have one-sixteenth Cherokee blood, Morrow explained.
When it comes does to it, you must be recognized by the government to be considered a "real Cherokee" in terms of the law, Morrow says.
A handout stated that "since 1978, 324 groups have stated intent to seek acknowledgement." The Office of Federal Acknowledgement has only resolved 43 of these.
"I'm a white girl, I'm not an Indian," Dr. Morrow started out saying. She told the audience that she doesn't try to speak for the Indians but wanted to elaborate on some questions frequently asked like, "Who is a real Cherokee?", "Is there such a person?", "Who decides?" and "Who cares?".
There are many different tribes throughout Missouri and throughout the United States and only "471 are federally recognized," Marrow explained. The only thing that makes those tribes "real" is the federal government's acknowledging their "sovereign status." Sovereign status gives these tribes the right to self govern, "function as a state" and be free from state authority, Morrow said.
Morrow went on to describe the three federally recognized groups which are the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee and the United Keetoowah Band.
Each group requires different things before you are allowed to join. For example to join the Eastern Band of Cherokee you must have one-sixteenth Cherokee blood, Morrow explained.
When it comes does to it, you must be recognized by the government to be considered a "real Cherokee" in terms of the law, Morrow says.
A handout stated that "since 1978, 324 groups have stated intent to seek acknowledgement." The Office of Federal Acknowledgement has only resolved 43 of these.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
rsjb1
Ron Clark
posted 10/13/08 @ 9:28 AM CST
Dr. Morrow shows many in the country and particularly in Missouri and even more specifically in S.E. and S. Central Missouri great disrespect. In time I am sure that DNA will show what many feel, there are thousands in our area with Indian Blood in their veins. (Continued…)
Barbara Lattimore
posted 10/20/08 @ 11:17 AM CST
I for one have enough Cherokee blood in my veins to stand. To not back down, I will now and until I can no longer utter the word proclaim Cherokee. I will continue to teach our ancestary to my children and grandchildren with promises from them to do the same. (Continued…)
KATHRYN GENTRY
posted 10/22/08 @ 5:52 AM CST
I AM CHEROKEE AND I AM VERY PROUD OF MY COUNTRY AND I DONT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ,THEY NEVER KEEP PROMISES THEN AND THEY HAVE THE POWER TO NOT BE TRUSTED NOW
Ron Clark
posted 11/01/08 @ 7:52 AM CST
After watching carefully for action from the University Board, whom I have written to with no response, it is sad that SEMO continues to support racial bias against those of mixed blood Cherokee Ancestry. (Continued…)
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