The Cherokee Word for Water - Background Video

Background on the Bell Waterline Project that is the inspiration for the feature film the Cherokee Word for Water. The project took place in Bell, a rural settlement of approximately 300 people, almost all of whom
where bilingual Cherokee people.The Bell community eventually built a 16-mile water line, rehabilitated 20 houses and built 25 new houses using volunteer labor.

The project strengthened the bonds between community members and gave them a sense of control
over their lives. They learned to trust their own thinking, beliefs, and ability to create change. They
started other projects, including the building of a new community center. Working together on these
initiatives people developed a sense of strength, value and self-worth.

The success of the Bell waterline project sparked a movement that has inspired a larger movement of
Cherokee communities engaging in self-help projects. Immediately following the Bell Project, members of the predominately Cherokee community of Kenwood, in rural Delaware County, rehabilitated more than a dozen dilapidated homes and assumed control and management of their own water district. The Kenwood project was soon followed by several large-scale self-help water line projects in other communities.

The Bell water and housing project was the subject of much local television and newspaper coverage,
as well as a feature story in Parade Magazine and on the CBS Sunday Morning news program. This
coverage helped change public perception of Cherokee people from that of hapless victims to people
with the skills, tenacity, and initiative to chart their own course and solve their own problems on
their own terms.

A quarter of a century after the contemporary Cherokee Nation self-help movement began, the work
continues under the leadership of Charlie Soap. Community volunteers are currently constructing
more than two-dozen self-help homes and several communities are building self-help water lines.
They work in the freezing cold of winter and the sweltering Oklahoma summer heat. Some volunteers
take time off from minimum wage jobs to help build a community waterline or work on their
own houses. There are few sights more inspiring than a mother and daughter working to put together
the rafters for their first decent home.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Wilma Mankiller
• Charlie Soap
• Bell Oklahoma
• feature film
• Gudugi
• Wooch.éen
• Tlingit

[ChanteEsti]

God Bless the Cherokee Nation, the most Loving people on the planet!

[beckyhobbs07]

Osiyo,

Wado for posting this important video.

Donadagohvi,

Becky Hobbs

[eviebine]

Respect our People . !!!!!!

[Nenayahe]

I love the tonal sounds of the Tsalagi language, it's so soothing, just like water. Beautiful story of self empowerment.

[bigkittysmile]

many tribes on rez in america need to do more of this. and they need to lobby the government for funds, human rights, and treaty violations. they need to raise the voice of the native peoples and get their rights as the first citizens.

[thewayitaint]

aho

[Nemhain1117]

that is awesome!!!

[tubedude101]

whiteman is controlling the cherokee nation

[wheelori814]

unfortunately, if its "tap" water, you now have the issues of flouride in the water that can cause bone cancer, and has other affects, plus numerous other toxins in the water! I dont know how good the well water was, but i would take both a sample of the well water, and the new "tap" water and have the tested. The government puts a lot of bad stuff in the drinking water, well, in everything!!!

[gourmetlunch]

When and where can I get this movie?