Sorrow and Poverty in the Cherokee Nation

[YnnisGlytyr]

When Indians steal from their own people, you all know the world is coming to an end. Chad Smith HOPEFULLY will not get re-elected and the rest of the council needs to go too. Let them live in poverty and see for themselves how it feels. But that probably won't happen, because they have already stuffed their bank accounts so they can live happily and in luxury ever after. What a bunch of greedy assholes!

[pojamie]

My grandfather was cherokee and al I ever got was a big nose. All my family is was from Oklahoma. Popa had real red leathery skin and a nose Jimmy Durante would have been proud of. Popa was born in 1911 and could not read or write, but he worked hard and did well. Live well brothers and sisters!

[matt420norris]

im a cheeroke man living in a town of 20% natives but mostly white people

and they taught me nothing but there bullshit about the white mans good intentions on our people in school

[papillonaquatique]

@matt420norris There is an old saying that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

[BluesHarp60]

Corruption is everywhere!!!

[BluesHarp60]

The white man has been an abomination to the Americas and has produced nothing but genocide and Atrocities! I feel my heart bleed for these beautiful Native nations who have to still suffer under the hands of the White man to this very day and their genocide is still being perpetrated!

[TaLbster67]

@BluesHarp60 Genocides and atrocities make me horny as hell. Love em'. WHITE POWER.

[Landotter1]

Nothing shocking about Cherokee corruption. It's been beyond bad for many years now. I love to hear Native Americans criticize "The White Way" but they do the same things. Who's bright idea was it to give the casinos away? Two things come to mind. Ignorance or laziness or both. You just gave the keys of Fort Knox to a thief, and gave him a locomotive to haul it all off with. Are you people insane? Stupidity rules I guess.

[wbworkout]

I hope by now this outrageous dilemma has resolved. I could not believe it! Even is Tribal Politics greed and power hungry politicians and CEOs call the shots. When I sam that board of directors I thought, they look like a bunch of overweight white politicians, Good Ole boys. They have no idea what real Cherokee people live life or have to deal with just like politicians today who have a lot of big words, and drape themselves in the flag and use patriotic and religious words to cover up greed!

[AngelaA81410]

The whole Cherokee tribal citizenship rules needs to be overhauled. You have people like me who by blood are1/2 Cherokee but because I wasn't born on reservation I can't become a tribal member- don't want the money benefits of being NDN just want to be rightfully recognized as one. Yet there are people who are 1/128 Cherokee who have membership and live on the reservation and take the tribal monies and non-NDN's who are also tribal members. I live life more like NDN than they do.

[ashiinsane90]

Im not a native american but why the hell, all of ur tribal decision makers are not native american, u should have the power to remove who u dont like, and put who u think is a good man, i dont know much so excuse my ignorance if there is any, love from Egypt

[mkeld74960]

RIP Councilor Johnny Keener!!! You were a good man! You are missed greatly!

[kellyanquoe]

Hey...somebody...that's dad (Greyhorse singers) from 1:28 through about 1:54....we'll look into that and see if he permitted it. Good thing he's not here right now. You'd be hearing it....you may anyway.

[bradt4evr]

@KahPow84 good 4 u :)

[guysenjem]

@KahPow84 If white people were here first would you be in favor of giving them special rights? Should Europeans be allowed to discriminate against other races in Europe, or would that lead to a World War? Watch "Ice Age Columbus" to see who was here first. (White people)

[Superdave1ize]

@guysenjem - Hey Bigot, it's you trolling the web trying to run down natives.... asshole why don't you get you as back to Europe were you belong D.P.(displaced persons)

[KahPow84]

@guysenjem other than a video, what real proof is there to say white people were here first ? i have heard of another theory called the bering strait. this theory says that natives crossed a land bridge that connected from asia to the americas. i don't even believe this theory either. what makes you think i will watch and believe the video you stated in your comment ? i won't. white people have all of europe to themselves. sadly, native people no longer have the whole land like they used to.

[TheNativeHistorian]

@KahPow84 Just ignore him, he's just angry of his guilt and making excuses for it, I have debunked him over and over but he will remain ignorant. I have all the DNA of the world listed on my page and there is no matches to Europeans.

We do have the fastest growing economy and population in the World but at the same time there are 1 in 4 people that are unemployed or live in poverty...The wealthy Natives should donate to others for job training, education and infrastructure.

[KahPow84]

@TheNativeHistorian that's true. you're right

[guysenjem]

@KahPow84 All of Europe! Yeepee! And you get the entire Western Hemisphere? Have you ever looked at a map you stupid Savage?

[KahPow84]

@guysenjem Lol...I can tell you think I'm Native by that "Savage" remark. *Newsflash* buddy...I'm not Native (nothing wrong with Native people). I'm Jamaican...yeah, yeah you can call me nigger all you want now you childish fuck. *Another newsflash* white people are ALL OVER the Western Hemisphere as well...Even though you people came over on a boat long ago you are STILL immigrants. Of all people, you shouldn't be calling anyone a savage....

[guysenjem]

@KahPow84 An Mogrel Asians are all over the Western Hemisphere too. I think even Mongrel Natives would have to admit that they would rather live with Whites than stupid arse Jamacians. Africa isn't large enough for blacks?

[KahPow84]

@guysenjem you are fucking stupid, honestly. whites are the majority over here as well no matter who else lives here. you can't even spell. just stfu. and fyi blacks were not only taken to america, but they were brought to the Caribbean as well jack ass. don't talk shit about something you don't even know fuck all about. also, the white people who brought us over there still live there as well. jamaica is not an all black people country you fucking idiot. get an ed. i hope you don't reproduce.

[guysenjem]

@KahPow84 I have to take your insulting comments with a grain of salt as I realize that your IQ has been proven to be much lower than mine.

[KahPow84]

@guysenjem and another thing: it seems like EUROPE or anywhere else you ppl live is not big enough for you either considering how much you go over to Africa to LIVE so you can farm your shit and call the black people there niggers and make them feel like they don't even belong on their own soil. like i said just shut the fuck up. i promise you i will NOT reply to you after this no matter how much you insult my people, Native ppl or anyone else. you'll be talking to yourself after this, dumb ass.

[guysenjem]

@KahPow84 Africa is almost 100% black and look what your dumb arse blacks have done with the place. The poorest in the world! The only places and time in history that Africa has had any success is when whites ruled. The truth hurts, but the truth will set you free.

[ogie958]

@guysenjem Africa is the way it is because the land was carved up wealthy European/American governments/land speculators with no regard for the centuries old ethnic divisions that characterized the landscape. Here, since you are clearly stupid i'll dumb it down for. What would happen if you made Germany and France one country and forced them to live together?...let me tell you, it would be a shit hole.

[guysenjem]

@ogie958 What a joke. Everything is whitey's fault even in countries where there are almost 0 whites. Quite a conspiracy theory. Get your tinfoil hat on! It's still whitey's fault. The richest countries in Africa were the ones run by whites. They are gone now and Africa has returned to the cesspool.

[ogie958]

@guysenjem 

[KahPow84]

@guysenjem seems like you just don't want native people to have anything...

[vangard213]

Amazing what greed and money can do to someone.I've never heard one politician that ever ran or won an office that ever said they would help Native Americans,and thats sad.They took everything away from all tribes and then shoved them into the corner and forgot about them,and thats absolutely pathetic.

[wabe04]

sounds like they need better finacial management and the government helps everybody else re. the welfare freeloaders they need to help the first nation people

[snuffluphagus2]

I was watching some other programs, and YES, I agree with some other clips on this subject. The reservations need to be treated as foriegners in need of assistance, as the living conditions and circumstances are dire as so. Why wouldn't a "trickle up" style program work in this case? Why couldn't that work. The politics and greed are what are in the way! Too many pockets getting filled up, while the rest don't receive the bounties of casinos, etc! Check out "TRICKLE UP" projects in Mali. Youtube

[snuffluphagus2]

UNBELIEVABLE!!! Why wouldn't the Cherokee Nation do the wiser (albeit more difficult), and invest money in it's PEOPLE, the highest resource of the nation is the people who make up the nation, when they are well, they can contribute to thier own society and build it up! But first they need to be reached, helped, lifted up, taught, encouraged.

[olmecbones]

I never knew that my tribe got federal dollars for my enrollment. I've never received any benefits from them. Sounds like a lawsuit to me.

[wiewayflats]

third thing is ask for the holy spirit to enter your heart and dwell with you.than ask hashem to send a angel before you to deal with the enemy.faith is trusting.prayer is commucation with god.so ask what you need.learn your mission.try just for 1 day with all your heart.this may lead to enternity of blessing.pick a side.yashua said youll hate 1 and love the other.rise 0 sleepers.shalom(nothing missing).

[wiewayflats]

the second thing i do is get rid of the cherokee flag,it has nothing to do with history.a upside down flower in the shape of star of david. a very wicked flag that has nothing to do with cherokee.wake up people!rise from the dead ,let mashiach (yashua) give you light.peace.shalom

[wiewayflats]

destroying us destroys themslves.we had the most blessed land becuase our songs praised yah.(yhwh)but when the message of his was brought by servants of the devil.a snare set by the devil seeking us to reject yahs(yhwh) son yah_shua.a trick of the devil which worked.yashua(jesus) said the meek will inherit the earth.thier black hearts dont matter.what we do in ours,is what really matters.everything stolen will be returned .hades awaits those that have no repentance.seek yah(hashem)thru yahshua

[47832ful]

The reservations are those things this government tries to sweep under the rug. Don't you remember how they lied about the vietnam veterans and all the poison that was sprayed over there...........same thing! Did you know that we have lost more American veterans from illnesses(because of the chemicals) after the war.. than what we lost in that war!! Point is my government doesn't know how to tell the truth!

[47832ful]

...............GREED is the problem...............one day it will make a circle and come back to bite us all in the a___! We are dying as a nation......the president has apoligized to many nations for why we are the way we are, we have no jobs(they all took a boat out of here) we don't make any thing-anymore( no more steel mills or factories)..we all want to sit in front of computers and make the money, no one knows what it's like to "WORK" for a living. I hope the Lord can forgive us all.

[47832ful]

Shame...........such a shame! I believe charity starts at home( here in the U.S.A.). I don't believe in foregin aid....and not much for lazy people. .shouldn't we take care of our own "first". Weren't the Indians "the first Americans"..or did my government just forget that fact! Some times I get "sick" at the thought of how we operate as a civilized nation!!!!!!!!! But that's ok..........God knows.

[MrHumanComputer]

What's hurting the Cherokee people is Esau's seed. You look at some of the people calling themselves native and they appear more white than anything, proving that their fathers are edomites. The whitening of this tribe is destroying it and what's being accepted as native is an abomination. A class of people who killed many natives and blacks in this land.

[MagicalOillusions]

this is beyond rediclious that man chad smith or whatever his name is should be removed from office. why are there no cherokee people in charge?

[trifelife212]

Feeel bad for the natives..... its so sad

[777revloreen]

Our people did not come here from Asia. We have always been here. Another instance of misinformation given to someone by a teacher who does not know history. I have taught for over 40+ years and have a doctorate in Cherokee Anthropology.

[MrHumanComputer]

@777revloreen We know that your people came here from Israel long before the so called white people stumbled upon the land. This is a journey that is well documented in the Apocrypha, a part of the bible that was removed by the heathens. Some of you may not agree with us but you are Israelites, and that is why our ancestors were able to communicate with yours hundreds of years ago. The Asian his-story was planted to decieve the world, but they cannot do such to the elect.

[WandaBukowski]

Does it really matter what race a person is? America should care for all of its citizens who are living in poverty.

If the Indian casino board members won't help, aren't native americans allowed to apply for welfare/ housing programs and food stamps like other Americans?

Excuse my ignorance, I am trying to understand why reservations are in such bad condition.

[crysta2k2]

My Cherokee people, I'm riding for ya'll. Just let me know what's good and I'm there.

[crysta2k2]

OMG Chad Smith, the Native American version of Michael Steele.  Ugh tribe name should be Rat Bastard. Little mo'fuker.

[crysta2k2]

There seems to have been a sharp incline of Greedy Rat Bastard"ism" from what I'm seeing. Those little motherfuckers, ughhh... makes me so mad!

[AurelioErik]

the government should not be in the business of rewarding races, irregardless of the story of their "ancestors"... the protestants were all killed and tortured by the vatican way back in the 1600s or so.. does the pope owe northern europe? does latin american therefore owe northern europe??? tell these so called "cherokees" to get off their stoned and drunk asses and get to into doing something.. thats what i say...

[indianirishfrench]

Live as indians.Grow,build, trade,teach&hunt. Ride horses-make clothes from deer hides.Recycle&compost. Work to live,not live to work.Use land,not buy.Use solar energy for everything:cars, planes,trains,phones,computers­. Work part time jobs to pay for medical,services and travel.Give them back the US, let them lead us back to the true happiness and freedoms.The chief can lay down our self governing laws.Live and help eachother,all of us being family,no more poverty, love all races,all religions.

[JediMasterCheryl]

@indianirishfrench I like what you say here. No whimpering pansy 'please forgive us' as many of us "White Eyes" have native ancestors too and that way of life calls to us.

Judge people not on the color of their skin but on the content of their character.

[stupidcrazykidz]

THE CHEROKEE NATION IS THE LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE

[ndnsoonerfan]

let me tell u...the nation has turned into another small USA. in meaning it cares more about business then thier own people. Capitalism! (hope spelled it right) i know what goes on in that place i worked for them for about 4 months and they waste money. but if i say anything they will tell u im full of shit. chad is like a pimp if u notice in the nation there are more white/whitelooking women working there with do nothing jobs. but im the asshole for saying anything. go figure

[mldc875]

This resembles our rez, it's scary and sad...the greed of our leaders is a curse no matter where in North America the rez is...

[canadiangal0099]

WTF is wrong with this picture?

Where is all their money going?

[indians808]

if life on the rez so hard to live on why don't the Government get involed its the most poverty place on this earth how sad and out of shame and other things towards the Big so called Government over the money they think they own dosen't it belongs to the Native Cherokee Indians and other Indians all over the world.

[Theblackbarbie698]

i feel for the natives i realy do but nearly every single man or women on this page says im native american n i feel for these people im not saying that your not native but we know your native stop braging wether your native american or not you can still help these people instead of bragging and explaining all your family trees and saying "my grandma was indian"save it for oprah please we knw your indian ok!thats y i am gonna grow to be a politician and sort this stuff out u cant live like this.

[HaliacetusLeuco]

the great spirit~+~+* is already Reaping what was sown not to long ago, here in the U.S. /Native American Lands and getting tigh+er~* CORP. BP IS AN ENGLISH 911!

[smsorour]

corruption, that's why the natives suffer and the casino owners are so rich

[kaeli356]

Wow...this is powerful & heart breaking. I am not a citizen of the Cherokee Nation but I am Cherokee by blood and this makes me really sad. What can the rest of do who have no vote? Thanks for showing the truth to the rest of us.

[shasanni]

@kaeli356 how is this possible??

can u explain??

[kaeli356]

@shasanni Yes it's crazy- the only ethnic group that has to prove itself! The US government started this when they took our land in the 1800s. Put everybody on a roll & round them up. That way they could keep up w/ the "Indians". Greed for land & gold was a motivator to remove the Cherokee. The rolls are actually a way to control the people. They were removed to less prosperous places & the people who didn't escape had very little resources at first. It created a divide between roll & non-roll.

[shasanni]

@kaeli356 how bizarre

so u legally cannot claim cherokee blood unless u register? do the other indian groups have this kind of rule? what about the first nations in canada?? sorry for asking so many questions, but this doesn't make any sense at all....

[kaeli356]

@shasanni Yes that is the case with most of the tribes in the US...not sure about Canada. It is OK...ancient Cherokee tradition said that one drop of blood makes you Cherokee. Now the Nation maintains that those whose direct ancestors were not on the Dawes Roll or the Baker Roll for Eastern Cherokee are not Cherokee citizens. My ancestors escaped the removal and hid their identity so they could stay on their land. But they passed on many Cherokee traditions to us. Hope this helps. :o)

[acerb45666555]

one way to wake up these fat cats is too bring international pressure onto them. tell the Serbians everything!! then tell the Bulgarians, Poles, etc. theyre just a click away!

[yeshuahfullofit]

We need a Red Cloud, or a Crazy Horse, not a Chad Smith.

[TreasureBookGuru]

Are you serious? This is way wrong and way sad.

[draculascoffin]

Politics, thats what its called, don't matter if you are Native American or Black or White. Politicians are all Crooks !!!

[thefreedomartist]

Plain and simple, you are right!!! Those in power always oppress the little guy...

[judyleeverro1]

odd, here i thought i was missing out by not getting on the role...to get on the dole..had no idea that they would do this to their own people...hell i am better off on my own. wish i could help tho

[Nickster86]

I am so fucking disgusted to see our leaders doing this to our elders, brothers and sisters!!!!!

I can tell you who is NOT getting my vote come election time.......

[semtech30]

A good honest video. Welcome to politics. Now you know what caused your struggles and takeover in the 1800's. Inflicted by immigrants yes, but it was their system of gain, control and power. "Government." This I feel is what your experiencing now. Politics within band council's Who get's the money ?? Don't fall into the system of greed and wastefulness. Disperse it amongs yourselves equally. We all desire to progress. Kind Regards.

[DeliciousLips1108]

Blood lines are thin amongst the Cherokee. They leave it open to ANYONE who can prove there on the rolls. But doesnt mean there blood is there. Too much christian greed and brainwashing going around. They should worry more bout there language and culture, invest money in that instead of the other crap thats out there!!!

[truesunn]

This guy is a damn joke. My people, please find a REAL chief...

[InfiniteMushroom]

I don't know the history of this Chad Smith but, he sounds like some hang-around-the-fort Indian who got too much of the white man's college education.

From now on, only vote for a candidate who is an organic part of the Cherokee tribe and has a plan to throw out the Jews with their casinos and dog tracks.

You've tried to live the white man's way. Incorporate his merchandise into your lives and waste your precious funds in his rigged stock markets.

Cut your losses and come home.

[InfiniteMushroom]

Casinos are a curse. They are evil and every dollar that comes out of them is filthy. Lurking behind every casino is a fucking Jew.

Throw the casinos out! Restore your heritage! Get the white man's booze and the Feds' heroin out of your lives. Try to determine what the land will yield up for game and crops and start with that! See if there are any minerals or building materials and use them to build tipis or homes with your own hands.

Join other tribes and make the Feds honor their treaties!

[shasanni]

@InfiniteMushroom why the hate for jews??

i'm a beta israel. go look it up. u will find that most of us r not the stereotypical wealthy jews. actually quite poor...have been discriminated against for centuries.

i hope ur people find a solution, but being angry at another group isn't the way to fix it. =)

[celticraider1]

@shasanni zionist jews are the root of ALL the worlds problems!

[shasanni]

@celticraider1 =(

i didn't do anything.....

lol zionist jews haven't been around long enough to cause all global issues. i guess the tragedy in haiti is their fault too. i'm in student loan debt...must be those damn zionist jews lol.

[QtGurlof08]

@celticraider1 gosh u & Hitler would of gotten along really well!!

[cherokeewarcry]

I'm only 1/16 Cherokee by blood and never been inside Cherokee Nation borders, but my heart goes all out to this.

WE as a people MUST take control of the situation...WE need to pool resources and get what's needed to our people. If the council isn't there for the people, they may as well be NOT THERE AT ALL.

We need a leader and a viable plan of action. Who has good ideas? Who has contacts? Who has resources?

[spiritwolf50]

@cherokeewarcry If you watch this video you will notice these board members all look white. no color in them at all. Ive heard too many stories of whites denying natives and freemen thier land and rolyalties. Its going to keep going on 2008 into 2010 and beyond who is it stoped.

[GypsySilver]

Ah yes, the "trickle-down" policy much beloved of the British Government. Trouble is it trickles down into the pockets of the rich FIRST, so much so that by the time it gets to those that need it, there's nothing left.

Chad Smith sounds as corrupt as any of our politicians. Why should he have the power to override a majority vote? Where's the democracy in that? It should be 1 person, 1 vote!

Just watch Chad start acting like Father Xmas come re-election time. Don't fall for it, vote him OUT!

[iaincwil]

it is a long term policy!

 keep the people unhappy and they will spend their time worrying about what food comes from where, they wont have time to worry about what we are doing (says the leaders rubbing their hands),

seems the cat is out of the bag now

all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing!!

seems the time has come for the people to act NOW DO IT

[billfurd1]

Sounds like greed! Needs to stop

[smashmouth710]

I meant quiet not quit.

[smashmouth710]

What the HELL is going on? Who is taking the money????? Something stinks in the Nation. Maybe Chad Smith? I mean it something is wrong. I'm going to emal my cousins in Talequah and try to find out what the deal is. I know us Cherokees are quit but this is obsured. I care about my people and something is not right. Let's find OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aarodin]

I just hope, that the Cherokee people are finally gonna help each other and fight together as they used to .. they gotta have their own land, their own language taught at schools. their own culture has to be kept ....

fuckin american culture ... i hate it!

[CNONews]

yooomama obviously doesn't know much truth about anything in the Cherokee Nation. Sure sounds like they buy whatever is printed in Smiths tribal newspaper. But that is why he spends over a million dollars a year getting it to you. In addition he is currently spending close to a half million a week on TV advertisements from OKC to Joplin just to convince the uninformed Cherokee that everything is AOK.... Ignorance is not bliss when people are oppressed by a dictatorship.

[MizShaiOnex18]

I too am Part Cherokee and am in the process of getting all records to register to my tribe and its unbelievable that some people only want to register with their tribe for benefits. Your first and foremost and only reason to join should be the fact of wanting to become a member of the tribe and so that they can indulge in the culture, that is what its all about. And i agree with this video, more money should go to tribes members who NEED it.

[TruckerDan75]

Don't think that you have to "Register" with the tribe to be Cherokee. I love my heritage and I am PROUD to be CHEROKEE. Being Cherokee is not about how much Cherokee blood you have in you, its about how much Cherokee spirit you have in you.

[MizShaiOnex18]

Vv Dan. I have to agree.

[jsd2k5]

First of all, the Cherokees never chose to determine its tribal citizenship based on blood quantum! In fact the blood quantum was never even a factor for the Cherokee's untill the the 1860's when the Dawes commision formed a law requiring all cherokees to register based on lineage for purposes of allotment when they determined that we were not using our land to it's potential and that whites would d "industrialize" it better resulting in a "surplus" which they gave to whites in the land run.

[shasanni]

@MizShaiOnex18 u have to register into ur tribe? dats madness... =(

[MizShaiOnex18]

@shasanni it really is. You dont see other ethnicities needing papers to "prove" who they are but as long as us Natives know who we are and are proud to be what every tribe we may be with or without papers then thats all that matters.

[malakdeek]

Can somebody name the music that starts at 0:02 - 1:54? I want the bands name too.

[TsalagiTech]

Our ancecsters are not crying. We are. We are not beholden to any color of man. We are Cherokee! Clean it up! Forget about color and race. What are you foolish! You have pride, knowledge and a clear voice. Speak!

[ladyofthewood]

look AmericaHowAreYa face the music he isn't being racist in a sense look up the real history and see what whites have done to Native americans in the past. History is full of white biased history. Don't listed to me read bury my heart at wounded knee and stop calling people racist you cold hearted bastard. Alot of them only drink and do drugs because they can't get a fair shot in this world to save their life. Im so close to reporting you.

[jewsforchrist]

My grandmother full blood cherokee refused the idenity card to be marked as the people in the past. Now then its seems like the trible leaders our creating their own (trail of tears) those leaders should go down in the (hall of shame)trible leaders keep your card keep your knickels you our now differnant than the whiteman you sleep with

[6AmberxJackhammer7]

wow i was crying a whole lot

[ukgirlonce]

i am not native american...this just grieves my heart...

[yooomama]

If you want to bad talk Chief Smith and the current council, at least give them credit for the 10 fold economic expansion of the Nation in such a short time. If you want to bad mouth a Chief, then just remember the National embarrassment and fiasco of Smith's predecessor, Chief Byrd. No one want to go back to those days! Know the full picture of whats happening in Oklahoma before you spout off. Think! This carefully made video was either done by council enemies or the Congressional Black Caucus.

[jamal3131]

not trying to be an asshole or anything, but you are kind of contradicting yourself. the rapid economic growth in the cherokee nation is due to the rapid growth in casino's and so forth. to say you want the growth to slow, is saying that you also want the economic growth to slow as well. that part just doesn't make sense to me. if you care to explain your position further i'm willing to listen. Wado

[yooomama]

@jamal3131 I'm simply claiming market saturation in Oklahoma's casino industry. If you see an expanding future of casino revenues for CNI, I'd like to know your rationale. I think its time to shift away from building casinos and a little reassessment of CNI's commitment to its own diversification. I'm not a business expert, but then again I did not vote to aquire a phony wind energy company in giant boondoggle fashion as did CNI.

[yooomama]

Just think about how limited we would be in what we could afford to do if we had just been content with the restaurant & smoke shops etc. We've had our big surge for about 15 years. Now let's step back and be diligently compassionate toward the young and elderly with the income that we have worked so hard to establish. Like almost everything in life, the answer is not in the linear thinking extremes. Assistance without growth is stupid, but growth without assistance is not the way of our people.

[yooomama]

Look, I'm a tribal citizen and I am not ready to vote out Chief Smith yet, but if we don't shift gears soon, he'll lose my support and this video tenderly depicts why (especially Johnny Keener's comments). Chief Smith once told me that we needed to vote out the old timers (like Keener) and get some young blood in there. While I have agreed with this big expansion from 1 casinos to 7 in such a short time, the growth of CNI cannot continue like this. Leaders should pause CNI expansion for a while.

[CaptAdams35]

This is rediculous. What can we do to help?

[hornetpalooza]

Look at politicians all over the world in all places, then think about the fact that we've been indoctrinated to value democracy higher than our lives. They can only take what voters give them.

[dispuesto2004]

I feel so bad for those unfortunate ones they should have rights the same as us its unfair we need to change it good job with the video by the way live the Cherokes the REAL AMERICANS keep up the good work

[PeacefullNative]

Sickening its been sickening since i was born n before i was born n long before that..... Self help people Self help you cant depend on the government ........even your own nation for funding... live simple...re learn your ways...LEARN Tsalagi...then if u feel the need to cry then cry.

[SH2099]

My goodness, OBAMA is in office (I voted for him so Im not slamming him) look at how African Americans and Minorities have risen in this country instead of the only True citizens - American Indians. Im White American and I don't belong here more than you. Your rights should be held at the highest! I feel for your people and that of all American Indians. This government does you a horrific injustice!

[Spherical07]

@SH2099 I'm Black American ( I hate the term African American), and I agree that since Obama has become president, we have seen a slight increase on the focus of minorities in general. The government is doing an injustice by ignoring the plight of Native Americans, but so are the American people. We need to make them an important issue before the government will. However, many Native Americans (and for good reason) want nothing to do with the United States.

[mymarkis666]

@SH2099 That's because alot of Native Americans don't want to rise in 'American' society. They're pretty much extinct now and the few that remain want to preserve their own culture and traditions.

[RedNativeRose]

@mymarkis666 extinct?? naaa theyre coming back stronger than ever in Canada...mostly northern Canada but i dont know about in america

[jennifer354]

@mymarkis666 they aren't extinct at all and what is wrong with preserving their traditions?

[jennifer354]

@SH2099 African americans haven't risen anywhere..

[JediMasterCheryl]

@SH2099 How nice.

Educate yourself before the next election. Obama is just a black face on the globalization agenda. Wake UP! ALL OF US ARE ONE! WAKE UP before it is too late.

[AurelioErik]

@SH2099 how do you get off calling indians the only true citizens? that is ridiculous.. they are a big part of the ethnography of this nation, via the migration from asia.. but a few thousand years later the migration from europe is to be seen as lesser or artificial? that is actually pretty racists towards european and african migrants, however they came...

[KahPow84]

@SH2099 tell me something: do you see ALL African-Americans and other minorities living in nice houses and driving fancy cars? I don't know where you got your information, but since some African-Americans still live in 'ghettos', how have they "risen" exactly? Are they always the manager of ALL companies? I don't think so... Please get your facts straight before you say we have "risen". You clearly don't know this but newsflah: OBAMA IS A PUPPET. He isn't in control of anything.

[SH2099]

Get mjr ntwrks in there to spread the word! Most of us caring ppl would stand at your side but are left in the dark. I saw this because I was doing research for my daughter. Its appalling ESPECIALLY in this day and age. We should be grateful to all that we've learned from the REAL Americans of this country instead of robbing, mistreating and abusing them!

[ukgirlonce]

sh2099...thats a great comment...i agree

[SH2099]

Those ppl running these orgs arent Cherokee. They dont show any hint of being Indian! They look like FULL blooded greedy white trash! Cherokee ppl stand up and come together! A mere 5% more, and they still vetoed it . Greedy Bas*****!

[SH2099]

This comment space is driving me crazy. It keeps telling be to keep my comment under 500 characters. I have a lot more to say on this subj. so my post is going to have to be several deep. I have to cut and paste to several posts. Uggggh

[WhiteStarWoman]

Wow, makes me wonder about Pineridge

[bahamasunset]

Greed and dishonesty are always ever present in the world. What the leaders of the Cherokee Nation seem to have forgotten is that sooner or later each will pay for the hurt they are inflicting on their own people. If there is one thing that is sure, the great spirit will one day call them to shame and then, they will know. And then, they will cry.

[SPS148669]

That why the US economy is crashing since it's the natural punishment for greed.

[AmericaHowAreYa]

You're delusional

[JediMasterCheryl]

@bahamasunset The Money Jackals got to them so they sold out.

[Azzkik411]

send me some email to donate to native americans. Im serious. Ill give them my money....

[cherokeepide123]

this is what happens when white people own thing's like this they take and take nothing more nothing less when it comes to the casino all white people run it not a native it needs to change. so are people can be helped they still trying to run us out but we still stand strong for are 4 fathers not there 4 fathers.

[AmericaHowAreYa]

Yeah, keep blaming white people rather than take responsibility for yourselves...that's easier, huh? You racist prick, get over yourself. Also, you can't spell, put the bottle down, chief, it isn't helping either.

[whiteeagledawadoa]

Ga do a na dv ne va? A ni tsa la gi, tsa yo hu se. Do hv?

[commo911]

I live in a neighboring county to Deleware County Oklahoma. The pictures posted here are real. There are places in Deleware and Adair county that look no better than a 3rd world country. The leadership of the Cerokee Nation should be brought to justice for their crimes against their own people. This isn't American Genocide. This is Cherokee genocide.

[NEWREDDAWN]

Genocide, an American way of life. 1/2 Cherokee.

[TerryBJr]

1835 - Trail of Tears; how many died, American genocide - in direct violation of the Supreme Court order in favor of the Cherokee, Pres. Andrew Jackson killed thousands of innocents in a forced march to satisfy the greed of a few. 2008; the Elders watch and know - if the leadership steals from the people; they will be judged. All things come and go like the seasons - evil men and women are no exception. They will answer to God for their actions.

[jahkiainc]

Check out who the leadership is; white people passing themselves off as Indian. Their ancestors claimed to be Indian in order to take the land and these people now really believe they are. You can best believe the poorest people in the Nation are the full-bloods. Same old story ...tsk, tsk.

[kristalsky59]

This video made me cry!The USA rightfully belongs to the Indian's!But to this day they continue to be treated worse than any other race;yet you don't see them complaining to the world about how mistreated they are!SHAME SHAME!May God bless your people!

[greyhoundfriend123]

This is a part of the NWO. I never thought any Cherokee would participate.

Traitors in all gov and corp. Every one will meet the Great Spirit.

Peace be with us all.

[twrea]

I c know why the US gov. wants to step in on the CN and Chad Smith..

[quentingoodvideos]

Those blue cards won't work in an ATM machine cause it is paper. Why don't we have real picutre ID's? Cherokee people are put on the back burner and it makes me sick to my heart to see it!

[johnwcornsilk]

Yes folks this is a very good video, depicts a situation in the land of (CNOT) Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma,TRAITORS, traitors added for the traitorous acts of CNOT against two minority classes of Cherokee people, "The Cherokee People Living in Poverty" And "The Cherokee Freedmen" This all began with Ross Swimmer 1975, Caried on by Wilma Mankiller, could have been fixed by Joe Byrd, but NOT, then came Chad "AKA" Da Weezle" Smith, and you just saw the rest of the Story!!

John "The Elder" Cornsilk

[DickTulane]

I really appreciate the comments made by Linda O'Leary in this video. It's time now for the Cherokee People to not only listen but also take the action required to clean up the corruption that exists with the CNO fraud.

[alexsk8sallday]

Wonderful video! It is sad to see Cherokees living in such poverty. Thanks for bringing attention to this important subject. I love the music too. It touched my heart. Chad Smith needs to start putting Cherokee people first!

[greatlytouched]

WOW! I live in Adiar County, and I can verify that alot of what is being said in this video is absolutly TRUE! We need change in the Cherokee Nation. In 2011, I encourage all Cherokee Nation Citizens to vote ABC: Anyone But Chad

[cherokeepolitics]

Well edited, well written, truthful account of what is taking place within the Cherokee Nation. Worthless bastard, Chief Chad Smith, will live in infamy thanks to sites like Youtube. Chad...your legacy is being recorded for posterity. Historians for hundreds of years will know you were a worthless two-wife, barrister.