Sorrow and Poverty in the Cherokee Nation

[TheDaltonboii]

my great great grandfather on my moms side was full blooded cherokee and i have cherokee on my dads side of the family too. im not sure how much i have in me but i know its enough to keep me dark all year long and im sure i have enough to be enrolled.

[girjaye]

i truly hope he does not get re-elected what an evildoer...

[girjaye]

we the people of the world need to occupy... in nov. 5, 2012 or daate may change... you can occupy your casinos and such within our nation or also join the other american population. together we stand divided we fall... come with peace, healing, and love... then do whatever your prescribed duty in life is after with all my love butterfly

[wastaylo]

,,,$96 million dollars from Canadian government to 2000 Thunder Bay Indians since 2006 comes out to about $10,000 a year a piece,,,the internet artical said,,,,tack on 25,000 Freedmen decendants,,,,Congress is trying to force Cherokee to admit to Tribal recognition,,,you guys will be lucky to take your family to McDonalds, one time, for supper,,,

[isauro27]

whites kill everything whites are the most cruel people at all sanguinary motherfuckers. the most most stupid people at all i'm glad i'm not pure white i really do long live the american natives

[nokiannie]

@isauro27 I agree and i am white they destroy every thing they touch .I have many cherokee friends and they treat me with love and respect which is more than my so called ancestors did for them

[bN59167]

OH LORDY!!  I'm NOT some little "lost". I hear screaming for the Cherokee's. No one reconized my father, his Mother. WHY?? Wasn't enrolled on the USA Gov't rolls! Never mind she was 6 yrs. old. SHE couldn't sign up. The USA Gov't took advantage of that.

OK, here we are TODAY. Get up off your ass, reclaim what is yours. NOW. Schools, jobs, homes. KEEP KNOCKING ON DOORS!!

B. Biggs

[0manoscar]

As a white, nontribal member living in Tahlequah, OK (the capitol of the Cherokee Nation), I have observed that Cherokee tribal politics is a joke. The recent election for principal chief, which had to be repeated by by the order of the Cherokee nation Supreme Court, is an excellent example. How can an election with so few voters be so messed up that it gets invalidated?

[MrSamBowers]

Does anybody know the name of the song and the band at the beginning of this video?

[KYMAMI]

whites destroyed everything beautiful,thats all i have to say..

[terrahstar]

@Xproject187: What exactly do you think Cherokee look like?

[Xproject187]

@terrahstar

I kno wut Ur gettn at Dude, & I aint guna bite.

You know wut I meant.

[lifeislife41]

OUR ANCESRORS ARE CRYING - - - -  I am not suprised.

[Xproject187]

I SAW VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO LOOK Cherokee

THATS FUCKED!

[0manoscar]

@Xproject187 How does a Cherokee Look?

[Witatsois]

It is not the way of the American Indian to do this to each other.This is always what will happen when any of us adopt the ways of the whites.

[pinwizz69]

My great grandmothers birth name was Flower that walks.The US gov. changed it to Rosie which I knew her as a kid. her mothers name was Snowberry.Grandma Rosie told me her Cherokee name when I was little and I never forgot it.I don,t look Cherokee except I got my mom,s butt and facial bone structure and I,m darn proud of oit It,s sad how the US gov. has allowed the wholesale rape of the Native People of all tribes of this land. I believe in and support AIM. YOU SHOULD TOO.

[LetmetalktoYAH]

Welcome to the rez. America, the biggest reservation ever. No matter who you are or where you live. You're still living on a reservation owned and run by the gooberment!

[brainerdrebel]

I have a simple solution, take the profits from the Casinos and divid it equally between the people living on the reservation, tax the dividends to keep the infrastructure in good repair.

[stradamorin]

I am not saying that the Whites did not mistreat the Natives of this land. However the Whites came to this Nation to escape an oppressive Government. It would seem that we made a new one here and that corruption has even spread. Isn't it strange we how we have the power to vote for the right person but never have the power to have the right person there to vote for. Not much good having a steering wheel if you don't own a car. Long live the spirit of the true Cherokee Nation

[phackqu]

Just remember there aint a god in the world that gives a shhiitt about anything that goes on around the world.Also remember there isnt any thanks to be goved when poverty in one of the worlds most powerful nations have to live like this especially the type of people who were terrorized for this land from canada down to chile!Who really benefited from the pillaging of these continents?while the original inhibitors get the shaft...

[ilililhy1]

Let`s all remember,there is not a tear that flows down that God Almighty does not see,and that Great Judgement Day comes to all mankind,only by making Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life can you escape Eternal Damnation.For my Bible tells me in proverbs,God made all things unto Himself,even the evil man for the day of DOOM.

[AubreeIsabelle]

That lady at 4:11 is totally right!! They need to work on their community and help the people. They don't need any more casinos. I would love to give some of those councel members a piece of my mind. Don't they see that the casinos aren't working? Kinda like our government they keep spending money when they have none left! This is such an eye opener to see the conditions of how my native blood lives. I wld love to help them.

[belovedtwilight41]

This makes me so angry and insulted. How could they do this to us? Other nations aren't suffering like this, why us!?

[MrMrEinstein]

Look at the crooks that run us, What a joke they our to have any control of a great people. And again government over looks this.The Kick Backs our great, Pigs have a better understanding of right & Wrong!!! Long live the Cherokees the great Spirit rides with

[tubedude101]

@MrMrEinstein you need to be careful who you elect

[smsorour]

corruption central

[galenrichards1972]

I have been trying to prove my Cherokee heritage for years, it is not an easy task, The Dawes rolls are not real reliable, it just shows what Indians did not hide from the white man and were put on the rolls, it does not show the renegade Indians that left and went into hiding. The Dawes rolls is just another way to divide Cherokees from other Cherokees. I don't want a hand out . I just want to know my family history. But it is sad to see the tribal leaders do their own this way still .

[galenrichards1972]

I am what you would call a "white Cherokee" my grandfather is almsot full blood but I have German and Irish in me as well. It appears to me that this Chief Chad Smith needs to be voted out in 2011. From the trail of tears to this, that is a sad thing for my heritage. Then the way my ancestors are portrayed in film as barbarians. Another injustice. Now Cherokee tribal leaders rip off their own people how sad !!

[dlanemarie]

I just recently found out that my great grandmother was full blooded Cherokee. I found out she was from Maryland and mu great grandfather moved her to Brooklyn. My grandfather was half Irish half Cherokee. So I guess that makes me an 1/8 th but because of prejudices it seems it was kept hush hush cause he could pass. Natives who are recognized or know their history get mad from what I see if people claim ancestry but what about people like me who are robbed of their heritage because it was stig

[jordansolo]

I think we need to throw these greedy jerks in jail and let the more young educated people take over.

[wuliechsin]

9:30 to the end, is very powerful statement. It make me want to cry just to even think about it.

[sharif19104]

Micheal Jackson was part of this tribe take a good look at his mother and Tito and you can see the Native american ancestry. The Indian Nation neve died out you have to be like the Africans and Asians they fought back and got their native land back. I am African American with Cherokee ancestry(grandmother-Eastern Band) maternal and paternal(great-grandmother was half) also Eastern band, I'm just now getting into this part of my identity,

[sharif19104]

Micheal Jackson was part of this tribe take a good look at his mother and Tito and you can see the Native american ancestry. The Indian Nation neve died out you have to be like the Africans and Asians they fought back and got their native land back.

[sharif19104]

Micheal Jackson was part of this tribe take a good look at his mother and Tito and you can see the Native american ancestry.

[Pitviper4Gunrights]

I am a Cherokee traped in the body of a white man i can find a job and like with my mom and dad and i'm 30 and unlike the rest of the ppl in seymour indiana i refuse Gov. hand outs we all did good with out them and now we have to depend on the Gov. to take care of us the same Gov. the killed our way of life :( so sad.

[tubedude101]

@Pitviper4Gunrights all cherokees have white man bodies  lol

[Pitviper4Gunrights]

@tubedude101 Go to a Rez then tell me all cherokees have white mans bodies you dumb azz.

[tubedude101]

@Pitviper4Gunrights why is the chief of cherokee nation a whiteman? Have you given up on electing a pure cherokee or are they that dumb to elect?

[makingitinmontana]

I am white and I just get sick watching this video...here we go again, the white trying to take over tribes. It doesn't look like some of the people running the show have any native in them. Whites need to leave well enough alone unless asked and if asked, provide support that is needed for the tribes not the white man....

[jetfueller]

Who the hell are these crackers who are on the board of directors of the CNB and is anyone watching these fat cats who obviously arent starvingand don't look like they come from impoverished housing like so many of the tribes. Is it not time for a new Cheif who actually lives among his people and shares their pain?

[LAYVON20]

this look like a bunch of white pepole, becuse im not even a clamed cherokee indian and got my blood tested and i was 99.9 and did not know it at all and been black all my life as i thought and all my fam too.we look nothing like these pepole.

[carlcs2]

@Sunwatch2012 This is true. It is coming.

[HOFFA2006]

We Cherokee Are Lucky If We Have At least 72% Blood Line Left. We Thank You Euro Americans For Stealing Our Shit!

[HOFFA2006]

The Cherokee Nation Is The Strongest And Most Organized Of Any Native American Nation. And The First Civilized Nation. Im Proud Of My Nation.

[Bringmeyourhigherlov]

This video does not tell the truth, our people are scattered outside of the Cherokee Nation. The boundaries are so out of sink with the Cherokee population, that it is such a shame because it hurts so many families. How I wish that our Nation's borders were redefined and appropriately named. this video is so disrespectful of our Elders it is unbelievable.

[RastafariPoet]

The nation has also been dipped in racial barriers. Many were kicked out for not having enough cherokee blood in their veins. Tell me that isnt wrong...

[44skins]

Watching this repulses me to no end! Dam it!!!

[ShotLast45]

Its all about money SAD! SAD! SAD!

My Grandmother would Cry if she was alive....

Only Cherokee cant help Cherokee!

Dont look to the Gov. dont let the History Repeat....Didnt we Learn...!!!!!!!

[yonvunega2000]

Yeah, interject racism, that always solves any issue. Greed is found in all cultures, none are above guilt and none needed to be taught. Capitalism works accordingly, if a person has morals capitalism is moral in it's works, if a person is amoral then so to is that capitalism. Natives practiced capitalism as well as all other hue-man endeavors and emotions long before the arrival of the Europeans. At some point in time we must take responsibility for past and future actions.

Scapegoating?

[0102106kls]

The Cherokee Nation has been over run by white peope looking for tax cuts when my mother is half cherokee and a half meherin and they wont even talk to her. she even have family in the tribe that looks just like here

[audacity226]

Capitalism does not work, they should do each what they want with the money and start their business.They learned from the white how to be crooks..we really are bad news wherever we go.

[Mvenven]

@audacity226 yes it does. Capitalism is the reason why we are an economic superpower

[Scott19seventy5]

Wow. The board of Directors looks like a bunch of White guys who found out they had some Cherokee blood and swindled their way into the pockets of the tribe.

[RastafariPoet]

@Scott19seventy5

Yeah they all do look white, What the hell is up with that?

[warriorswindow]

@Scott19seventy5 : thats why there are the keetoowah and they don't want to merge with the CNO.

[MrGfield]

@Scott19seventy5 thats probably exactly right

[pandora0070]

@Scott19seventy5 Greed is a sick human trait, not limited to people of a particular ancestry. Can any of us look within and not see it lurking somewhere in there?

[Scott19seventy5]

@pandora0070 I think you missed my point. Which is they don't seem to have appropriate representation.

[Monasukapanough]

@Scott19seventy5 that is the truth, and now they are the ones going around harassing all non federal native americans saying who is or is not indian and they flash their federal card around to attempt to push non federal native americans around.

[rimeshot]

I want the name of the music and the band at the beginning of the video. Anybody know?

[bofts]

So their tribal govt is screwing them but all they want to do is blame the white man?

[linesinsi]

Los verdaderos americanos

[KangiWinyan]

I am an unenrolled Cherokee, and proud of my people. I think the thing at the end of this video needs clarifying... In 1835 it wasn't just the greed of the white man, our own people too, were a bit greedy. Not everyone saw things the same way, which is why when once relocated, those considered traitorous, were accounted for in the "Blood Vow". I think there was greed on all accounts. Its too bad that those that want to count, never do.

[curatrix2008]

@KangiWinyan I have to say, this is the first post I have ever seen that addressed the complicity of native americans. When the truth is spoken by both sides changes and healing and justice can begin.

[kingslegion1]

@KangiWinyan

you are correct, the greedy chief in those days was ross, john ross.. though i am Creek i do know of some cherokee history.. and greed destroyed all as it always does.

[annfidela]

The US Federal govt pays for education in grants, elder grants, roads, and rebuilding of the southern states that reside in the traffic of hurricanes. The federal gov't assist the southern states, and they have the Confederate Flag that represents the gov't that overthrew the Cherokee nation and try to overthrow DC.

[ChristaFaith1]

LOL, sugataffy, funny! But seriously Victorlou, "benefits" as some call them depends from Nation to Nation (or you may say Tribe to Tribe). The requirements for CN (Cherokee Nation) may not be the same as Choctaw Nation's requirements, so you can't really generalize this issue. You have to look at what each Nation is doing for it's citizens. As for the freedmen issue, I am sorry if you don't have Native blood, it's not there, there fore you shouldn't be granted citizenship! Sorry!

[timotds]

The wrong people control the monies...

[Victorlou18]

I feel the free health care systems that the federal gov is paying for is unfair. I have a step mother and sister that have a very small amount of native blood in their system and they get to take advantage of free health care and housing programs. I feel that the full and 1/2 blooded Natives should get to take advantage of the programs. I also feel that Native casinos should be paying for the health care program not the Government. I dont get free heatlh care why should they.

[sugataffy]

cause you ain't Native thats why

[AB22]

Nothing is perfect. One of the main problems with the Cherokee Nation is that it, in a sense ,is starting to run it's self more and more like the American Government, where corporations take precident over the basic needs of the people.

[ZachBible]

This is a very touching video and if I didn't know any background about the Cherokee Nation or about how to conduct business, I would probably be just as outraged. My advice: Don't take things at face value, research these situations for yourself. They are reporting casino REVENUE not PROFIT. Yes, the casino does have to pay operating expenses, payroll, state fees...then there's profit, which is NOT $400+ million.

People from every race and background suffer from poverty.

[GOINGCRAZYVIDEOS5]

Actually - the video does report the REVENUE watch it again. Also, you are forgetting the millions and millions of dollars in federal grants the Cherokee Nation recieves yearly. Very little profit goes to human services the breakdown is 70% goes to business, which are failing, failed or are being investigated by the FBI google GEG. 30%goes to human services. Poverty in CNO is horrific and the video shows only a small glimpse of it. Makes me wonder what your "background" is regarding CNO.

[grannyrain]

I am an unenrolled Cherokee - but my heart breaks for my people. There is no reason whatsoever for any citizen of the Cherokee Nation to live in such dismal poverty nor to go without necessary medical treatment and other vital needs. Chad Smith is a rich attorney, who has forgotten his true role, to lead in fairness and with compassion the people of the Cherokee Nation.

[morgandollarhide]

No one would ever suggest, with a straight face, that the revenue collected by the federal government should be distributed in any form other than services, ie roads, health care etc. I pray the Cherokees will never fall into the "Per Capita" trap. Sadly, the funds being collected by our government rarely make it to the people who need it. And why would we want to fund a Cherokee child who does not live with us or contribute to our tribal society? Especially if we'll never see him again.

[quentingoodvideos]

History starts now! Take the power away from him and give it back to the people!

[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, Carried on by Wilma Mankiller, could have been fixed by Joe Byrd, "NOT", then came Chad "AKA" Da Weezle" Smith, and you just saw the rest of the Story!!

John "The Elder" Cornsilk

[germ2878]

Why can't the nation distribute the casino profits to fund education for the Cherokee children no matter where they live.

Educating the young with 100 percent paid college education will lift the nation into the 21st century, rather than low paying casino jobs that have no career path. Also health care should be 100 percent funded, and every Cherokee should get a divendend of the casino profits. This would still leave them with enough funds to grow the casinos and operating costs.