Jul-Aug - Trail of Tears Association

Moccasin Track News
Volume 5 Iss ue 4
July -August 2010
Official Publication of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association
Message from our Chapter President:
It is with great pleasure that we at the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association bring to the publisher this
summer a new edition of Charles O. Walker’s Cherokee Images, his first work on the people and places of the old
Cherokee Nation in Northwest Georgia.
This beautiful, one-of-a-kind volume was originally self-published by Rev. Walker in 1988, but has been out of print and
unavailable for many years. In it you will find many of Rev. Walker’s original sketches, based on descriptions of houses
and properties given in the 1830s, and many times based on his own personal visits to the properties. They include
“Lying Fish’s Round Log House,” Buffington’s Tavern, the John Thompson house, and countless others. With the vast
changes to the landscape that have occurred since the Removal in 1838, this may be the closest you will ever come to
“seeing” some aspects of the Cherokee Nation in Northwest Georgia as they once were.
Cherokee Images will mark the second title in our new publishing venture for the Georgia chapter. We are very happy
to bring this worthy volume back into the public arena, hopefully for years to come. This will be the first of four works by
Rev. Walker we hope to bring back into print. The next in the series will be Cherokee Footprints, Vol. I, also first
published in 1988, and including many hard-to-find primary documents concerning the Old Federal Road and early
mission sites.
I thank board member Doug Mabry for hatching this idea and first approaching Rev. Walker about the concept. I also
thank our treasurer, Linda Woodward Geiger, for bringing the project to fruition by obtaining copyright permission,
assembling the files, scanning the original pages, and taking care of all the necessary details to shepherd this into
production.
Although we have been unable to locate the original artworks used to assemble the book, every attempt has been
made to capture the essence and detail of the original volume. The credit for this, again, goes to Linda Geiger, without
whom this new edition would not have been possible.
This new edition of Cherokee Images also would not of course have been possible without the cooperation and
participation of the author, Rev. Walker, whom we thank for allowing us to bring this back to the public. We wish Rev.
Walker a happy retirement and we thank him for his many years of research and constant dedication to the cause of
remembering what was.
Jeff Bishop
President
GA Chapter, Trail of Tears Association
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Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears to meet July 10, 2010
“Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Northeast Georgia, the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing creativity and committed to preserving and protecting the natural and historical
resources of the Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys and the surrounding area. A group of concerned community members
came together in the 1970’s to have the Valley placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since then they have
worked diligently to study and find ways to conserve the beauty of all that makes the Valley what it is. The SNCA maintains
the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a thriving cultural and community center housed in a restored rural schoolhouse. The Center
offers a Folk Pottery Museum, Theatre, Gallery, Art Studio, Dance Studio, History Museum, Heritage Site, Nature Preserve,
Environmental Studies Room and Conference Facilities.”
The Center has come a long way over the years towards preserving and rescuing the heritage of the Northeast
Georgia Mountains. With the help of members from Georgia Forest Watch, SNCA volunteers and Bean Creek residents
have been working together to rescue native flowers, shrubs, and trees from sites that are threatened by test wells, access
roads, the water storage tank, and home sites in the Bean Creek Community. A great variety of flora will be transplanted to
the African American Heritage Site & Nature Preserve. In addition to the plant program, the Nacoochee Valley Heritage
Preserve had been working to provide a safe haven and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the horned owl.
The History Museum of the Sautee Nacoochee Valley includes the history of 62 pioneering white families who
came to the valley. Numerous artifacts are on display to preserve the heritage of the Cherokee Indians before them. There
is no admission charge for visiting the History Museum.
There is also a Folk Pottery Museum featuring works by the well-known Meaders Family of White County. No other
museum has been devoted toward the mountain heritage of folk pottery works. Admission fees apply $5 for adults, $4
seniors and $2 for children.
GaTOTA’s meeting will be held at the Sautee Nacoochee Center Theatre on July 10, at 10:30 a.m. Our guest
speaker will be Dr. Jack T. Wynn, retired U. S. Forest Service archaeologist, a founding officer of the Georgia Council of
Professional Archaeologists, has a Ph.D. in Anthropology and teaches part-time at North Georgia College and State
University at Dahlonega. His topic will be on the Unicoi Turnpike trade route.
The Georgia Chapter is made up of volunteers who have a common interest in the preservation of the Native
American heritage of Georgia. You need not be Native American or a member of the GaTOTA to attend our meetings, they
are free and open to the general public. For more information contact Vice President Leslie Thomas, 706-635-3864 (leave
message) or via email [email protected].
Directions 283 Hwy 255 N. , Sautee Nacoochee, Ga. 30571 - Five miles from Helen on Georgia Highway 255 North.
From Atlanta on I-85: Take 985 toward Gainesville Take Gainesville/Jefferson Exit off 985 Follow signs to 129 North to Cleveland
Go around Cleveland Square to second stop light Turn right onto 75 North toward Helen Turn right onto 17 at Indian Mound (Nacoochee
Valley) Turn left onto 255 north at Old Sautee Store Go 0.3 mile (3/10th mile), the Center is on the left in a red brick building
From Atlanta on 400: Take 400 all the way to where it turns into 2 lanes (it becomes Longbranch Road) Follow Longbranch Road to
the first stop light and turn right onto 115 (about 4 miles) Go 13 miles to Cleveland Square Turn left at stop light onto 129 (around square)
Turn right at next stoplight onto 75 toward Helen Turn right onto 17 at Indian Mound (Nacoochee Valley) Turn left onto 255 north at Old
Sautee Store Go 0.3 mile (3/10th mile), the Center is on the left in a red brick building
Map not to scale:
Lunch is available for an all-inclusive price of $12.00 at
the historic 1837 Stovall House not far from the Sautee
Nacoochee Center. If you plan to take advantage of this
opportunity please let Leslie know so she can give the
owner a head count for lunch either by email at
[email protected] or call 706-635-3864. The
Stovall House 706-878-3355 also has rooms to rent at a
reasonable price if you’d like to spend the night and take
in a play the will be held also at the SNC that evening by
a
group
known
as
HeadWaters
http://www.snca.org/performingarts/headwaters.html
Learn more about SNC at http://www.snca.org/main.html
Other accommodations are available locally at nearby
Helen, Georgia and the Unicoi area.
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Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association
Minutes – May 8, 2010
Meeting at the New Echota State Historic Site, Calhoun, Georgia
At 10:30 AM Vice-President Leslie Thomas welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were 31
attendees including 10 visitors. New Echota Site Manager David Gomez also welcomed us back to New
Echota and announced several upcoming events at the site. He also said that volunteers are still needed to
help with special events and when school groups are at the site.
President Jeff Bishop welcomed back former GA TOTA secretary Wanda Patterson who was
attending her first meeting since dealing with a life-threatening illness last year. He also welcomed GA
TOTA member and Cherokee artist Billy Mack Steele. Mr. Steele has given the GA Chapter permission to
use two of his paintings for fundraising purposes and donated ten prints of his “Trail of Tears” painting to
GA TOTA. Jeff announced that GA TOTA member Dan Davis had just had kidney stone surgery.
Jeff introduced guest speaker Michael Wren, GA TOTA member and independent researcher.
Michael’s topic was “The Methodists and the Cherokees”. The Methodists were the last religious group to
come into the Cherokee Nation and became the largest. They were also the only denomination invited to
come into the Nation. This presentation will also be posted on the GA TOTA website
www.gatrailoftears.org.
After a short break, the business meeting resumed at 11:45 AM. The minutes of the previous GA
TOTA meeting in March 2010 were approved as written. Treasurer Linda Geiger could not attend the
meeting so Secretary Linda Baker presented the financial report. The treasury balance on March 13, 2010
was $14,400.58. Thanks mostly to membership dues and donations, including donations made in Tommy
Cox’s memory, the ending balance on April 26, 2010 was $15,297.34. The required 10% of the current
membership were present at the meeting so the new bylaws were voted on and approved. The entire text of
the new bylaws can be found on the “Members Only” section of the GA TOTA website.
Jeff thanked everyone who participated in the research day at the Morrow, GA branch of the
National Archives. Another research day will be scheduled soon.
The annual bike ride to commemorate the Trail of Tears will take place in June. This ride is
sponsored by the Cherokee Nation and the riders are young men and women from the Nation although
anyone who wishes to participate is welcome. The riders will be at New Echota on June 4th and will depart
for the journey back to Oklahoma on June 5th. A motion that GA TOTA pay 1/3 of the cost of their
evening meal on June 4th was made, seconded and approved by membership.
Linda Fletcher announced that the annual Red Clay Days of Recognition would take place on
August 7 and 8, 2010.
Jeff announced that archaeological work is currently being done at the sites of Fort Hoskins and
Fort Means. GA TOTA member Marvin Sowder has been taking photos to document this activity.
National TOTA Board members Jeff Bishop and Dola Davis attended the National Board meeting
in Little Rock, AR. New translations of the Moravian Diaries will be published soon and Jeff will post
information on how to purchase these books on the GA TOTA blog www.trailofthetrail.blogspot.com.
Efforts are being made to get one or more of Rev. Walker’s books ready to sell at this year’s
National TOTA conference which will take place from September 20th to 23rd at Harrah’s Casino in
Metropolis, IL.
Due to the success of last year’s genealogy workshop, another one will take place on June 19, 2010
at New Echota. Visit the GA TOTA website “Events” section for information and registration form.
The next GA TOTA membership meeting will take place on July 10, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the
Sautee-Nacoochee Community Center near Helen, GA. More details can be found on the GA TOTA
website.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM. Following lunch, attendees were invited to take a field trip to a
possible Native American site near the Watie homestead in Oothcalooga.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Baker, Secretary
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Margaret
Mitchell,
author
of
Gone
With
the
Wind.
August
26:
Don
Wells,
President
of
Mountain
Stewards,
will
discuss
the
Mystery
of
the
Trees,
an
Indian
Trails
Project.
He
will
give
a
power
point
presentation
with
integrated
video
clips
of
Native
Americans
discussing
how
their
Nation
used
the
trees
and
other
trail
markers.
Upcoming EVENTS OF INTEREST:
VANN HOUSE REUNION:
The 2010 Vann Family Reunion has been scheduled and will
be taking place in them State of Georgia this year. The
reunion will be attended by extended members of the Vann
Family from across the Nation and Dr. Tiya Miles, an expert
on the Vann plantation Diamond Hill and author of the
upcoming book "The House on Diamond Hill: A Cherokee
Plantation Story." For all of those interested, the reunion will
be over the weekend of July 22-26 2010. If you and/or your
family wish to attend, please contact and register with: Lorain
Taylor, Chairwoman of the Vann Family Reunion Committee,
845-522-8572 (If you don't get her, just leave a message or
try her email [email protected])
Chieftains Museum:
Tommy Wildcat returns. Thursday, July 1st 7pm The well known and much loved Cherokee
flutist and historian from Oklahoma makes his only
appearance in the area! Performance will be on the
grounds at Chieftains, so bring your lawn chairs
and blankets. Also performing will be local
storyteller, Gary Greene. Adults - $5.00,
students - $2.00.
July 31st, two special programs
Freeman Owle is a Cherokee from North Carolina
and one of the featured carvers in the special
exhibit, “Cherokee Carvers.” He is also a well
known Cherokee Storyteller. He will be doing
Cherokee carving demonstrations at 1:00. He will
return for a special storytelling program at 3 p.m.
Each program is $5.00 admission or if you want to
attend both, you get a discount and its only $8.00!
Call for more info: 706-291-9494
Vann House Days event: July 24th: Watch 1800s
crafts demonstrations at the 1804 mansion of
Cherokee Indian plantation owner James Vann.
Cherokee tribal members along with local
demonstrators show the art of blacksmithing, soap
making, weaving, spinning, quilting, doll making,
chair and basket weaving, pottery, and much more.
$3.50–$5 706-695-2598.
Red Clay Annual Cherokee Days of Recognition
is August 7-8, 2010. This is an event to honor the
Cherokee People their history, culture and
craftsmanship.
Featured
programs
include
Cherokee traditional and fancy dances, storytellers,
music, living history demonstrators, native foods
and more. Need more info: 423-478-0339
Cherokee Historical Society
to hold conference
September 30-October 2 - National Barn Alliance
Southern Conference - Rock Barn, Canton www.rockbarn.org or call 770-345-3288
Bartow
History
Museum
‐
Cartersville,
Ga.
July
12‐16
(Monday‐Friday)
Week
long
day
camp
out
to
discover
the
story
of
the
Native
Indians
‐
Ages
5‐11
$100
per
child
9:00
a.m.
–
Noon.
Children
will
learn
all
about
the
life
of
the
Cherokee
Indians
compared
to
that
of
the
Plains
Indians.
They
will
enjoy
crafts,
games,
and
demonstrations
on
various
aspects
of
Native
American
life,
from
teepees
to
log
cabins,
farming
to
buffalo
hunting,
and
blow
guns
to
bow
and
arrow.
To
register
call
770‐387‐3849.
July
21:
Bob
Faith,
Vice
President
and
Treasurer
of
the
Cherokee
Chapter
of
the
Georgia
Society
of
the
Sons
of
the
American
Revolution,
will
come
dressed
in
colonial
attire
and
will
discuss
the
history
of
the
Sons
of
the
American
Revolution.
August
18:
David
Archer,
local
historian,
will
discuss
the
history
of
the
1869
Courthouse,
future
home
of
the
Bartow
History
Museum.
Evening
Lectures
(Last
Thursday
of
each
month
at
7:00
p.m.)
July
29:
Dr.
Jennifer
Dickey,
Assistant
Professor
of
Public
History
at
Kennesaw
State
University,
will
discuss
Etowah Mounds – Day of Discover for Kids
July 17 – 1-4p.m. Saturday Kids can learn what
a profession archaeologist does, hear about
ancient history, see real artifacts, take part in
an excavation and learn about what they find.
$3.50-$5.00 770-387-3747
Remember to help support our state parks.
New rates for camping and staying at the park
lodges are in effect.
Visit the website at
http://gastateparks.org/events/ to learn more
about what events are available this summer.
Everything from hiking, backpacking to camping,
learning about geology, bird watching, frogs &
Salamanders, painting, artist displays, concerts,
Civil War events, fly fishing, canoe adventures,
wilderness survival, bike rides, Folk life crafting,
astronomy and more.
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The Historical Society of Forsyth
County is thinking of putting together
a Heritage Book of Forsyth County.
Every person who has lived in this
county has contributed to its history.
Every family has a story. We are
polling our friends to get an idea of
how much interest there would be in
such a book. Let us know if you
would like to have your genealogy,
story or photos included in this
book. We also need people to work
on this committee. We look forward
to hearing from you. Contact
Jimmy and Martha McConnell
[email protected]
OR CALL 678-455-7260
TOMMY COX
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
THANKYOU TO:
Joyce Carter
Jeff Bishop
Chieftain' Museum
Dr. Sarah Hill
Michael Wren – Speaks to GATOTA on
Methodists amongst the Indians.
Independent researcher Michael Wren was the guest speaker for the May
8th GaTOTA meeting held at New Echota. Mike is a researcher for both the
Georgia and Alabama Chapters. He had compiled the information for the
2009 TOTA Conference held in Alabama. He will be posting the information
to our members only area of the website soon.
Jim Langford speaks at the CRBI
If you would like to make a
donation in Tommy’s memory,
please send your donation to:
Treasurer GaTOTA
10718 Big Canoe
Jasper, Ga. 30143
Do You Know Someone?
Do you know someone who
might be interested in the
Georgia Chapter of the Trail of
Tears mission?
Share your
newsletter
or
give
them
information on how-to find our
website. We are a non-profit
volunteer organization – we need
your help to do the research and
preserve the heritage of our
Native Americans. Can you help
with publicity or the newsletter
or research? Contact Leslie at
[email protected]
Jim is a busy man. He is the founder and president of the
Coosawattee Foundation, Inc. that works towards preserving the
Native American cultures, irreplaceable archaeological resources and
environments. Jim especially believes that education is a major key
towards accomplishing this effort. Recently he assisted a group of
Coosa River Basin Initiative canoers on the Coosawatte River and
gave a talk at the Thompson Site in Gordon County Georgia. Here
he explains the Paleo-Indian period at the final stage of the Ice Age,
where relics date to the Clovis culture from 8,000 to 10,000 BC up
through around 750 AD. Learn more about this event by visiting the
trailofthetrail.blogspot.com and look under June’s blob archive.
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GEORGIA CHAPTER OF
THE TRAIL OF TEARS
ASSOCIATION
119 Rising Star Rd.
Ellijay, GA. 30536
Jeff Bishop
President, National Director
Leslie Thomas
V. P., Programs,
& Newsletter Editor
Linda Baker Secretary/Publicity
Linda Geiger
Treasurer
You are receiving this newsletter
because you have not indicated you
have email computer service.
GATOTA has gone green and mails
newsletters to new members and
those without computer access. If
you would like to help us go green,
contact :
Leslie at: [email protected]
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
gatrailoftears.org
USA Today Publishes Article on Tradition & Diabetes
Sixteen percent of the 3.3 million American Indians have
type 2 diabetes and that is almost twice the rate as is
among the whites. This happens when people are not eating
diets that are healthy and exercising on a regular basis.
Preprocessed foods, high in sugar and gluten are the
culprits. More and more children today are being diagnosed
with type I diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major causes
for heart disease. The CDC is now working with 17 tribal
communities to improve access to locally grown fresh
produce. Preserving and renewing cultural identity is a key
and returning to the traditional foods may well be the
answer. In addition peoples who have the propensity for
diabetes need to be tested for food allergies. The allergies
to certain foods may also be the key towards lowering
obesity across the board. (article adapted)
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