Welcome To News Briefs of 2007 With The CAHC
Cherokee Arts & Humanities Council
KITUHWA MOUND
Just west of Cherokee, North Carolina, a grass-capped dome of earth rises gently from bottom land
along the Tuckasegee River. Look closely-it's easy to miss. The dome, or mound, used to be much
higher, but it has been plowed over many times by farmers, ground down the way eons of wind and
rain have smoothed the Great Smoky Mountains looming close by.
Cherokee tradition holds that the mound site, known as Kituhwa, was an ancient "mother town,"
the place where the Cherokees, or the Ani-Kituhwagi-the people of Kituhwa-originated. Deep
within the mound itself laid the bodies of great men and sacred things, and smoke from a
continuous fire came up through a hollow cedar trunk.
Nowadays, people from the Qualla Boundary drive to Kituhwa to till their own little patches of corn,
tomatoes and melons. In time, the future of this place and a new chapter of Cherokee history will be
hotly debated in the Council House. And that's fine. Like Selu's blood, tears dampened the ground
the day this site, lost more than 170 years ago, was rededicated as Cherokee land. The only question
now is, what will grow?
And, today, Cherokees travel home to the Smoky Mountains, drive out to Kituhwa, walk to the
center, and stand in wonder of the past, honor the present and perpetuate a future . . . all around the
ceremonial traditions, the ceremonial culture of their ancestors.
- The CAHC traveled to Cherokee, NC, and area in the summer of 2007 to participate in Green
Corn Ceremonies and to visit the Kituhwa Mound.
We would like to sincerely thank the family of Mr. Walker Calhoun for their hospitality and love.
Just west of Cherokee, North Carolina, a grass-capped dome of earth rises gently from bottom land
along the Tuckasegee River. Look closely-it's easy to miss. The dome, or mound, used to be much
higher, but it has been plowed over many times by farmers, ground down the way eons of wind and
rain have smoothed the Great Smoky Mountains looming close by.
Cherokee tradition holds that the mound site, known as Kituhwa, was an ancient "mother town,"
the place where the Cherokees, or the Ani-Kituhwagi-the people of Kituhwa-originated. Deep
within the mound itself laid the bodies of great men and sacred things, and smoke from a
continuous fire came up through a hollow cedar trunk.
Nowadays, people from the Qualla Boundary drive to Kituhwa to till their own little patches of corn,
tomatoes and melons. In time, the future of this place and a new chapter of Cherokee history will be
hotly debated in the Council House. And that's fine. Like Selu's blood, tears dampened the ground
the day this site, lost more than 170 years ago, was rededicated as Cherokee land. The only question
now is, what will grow?
And, today, Cherokees travel home to the Smoky Mountains, drive out to Kituhwa, walk to the
center, and stand in wonder of the past, honor the present and perpetuate a future . . . all around the
ceremonial traditions, the ceremonial culture of their ancestors.
- The CAHC traveled to Cherokee, NC, and area in the summer of 2007 to participate in Green
Corn Ceremonies and to visit the Kituhwa Mound.
We would like to sincerely thank the family of Mr. Walker Calhoun for their hospitality and love.
Left:
Choogha and Roy at the Kituhwa
Mound, 2007
Choogha and Roy at the Kituhwa
Mound, 2007
Happened in 2007
CAHC Given Key to City and Proclamation
The "Historical Snapshots of Marshals Service History: The New South Meets Old West" National Symposium was held in Fort
Smith, Arkansas, on October 26. Held on the campus of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, the event sold out. Roy Hamilton of
the Cherokee Arts & Humanities Council (CAHC) represented the CAHC at the symposium and on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Fort Smith
Descendant's Day II.
Mayor Ray Baker presented Hamilton the Key to the City of Fort Smith, a proclamation declaring the day "Roy Hamilton Day," and
jokingly, a special pardon for the day. Mayor Baker welcomed Hamilton and other national and regional speakers, and an audience of
over 200 to Fort Smith.
"It is always my pleasure to introduce others to the rich culture and heritage of the Cherokees. Working with an amazing group of
young people at the Cherokee Arts and Humanities Council I have the opportunity to speak at events like this symposium often. I hope
I tell you things tonight that you never knew about Cherokees and our history. And, I hope you will leave with a better understanding
of who we are as a people and as a Nation," Hamilton said.
The national speakers include Roy Hamilton, president of the Cherokee Arts & Humanities Council. Hamilton, a Cherokee
citizen, historian and genealogist, and a great great nephew of Ned Christie. Christie was accused of killing a U. S. Marshal, but later
vindicated, but not before he was assassinated by U. S. Marshals. Although they were doing their jobs, it would be this case which led to
many years of Ned Christie being labeled an outlaw. Many books, magazine and newspaper articles have been written about him.
Hamilton's book "Ned Christie, Cherokee Warrior" has become a major publication sought after by many historians and avid readers
of western history. Hamilton's work is the only book written by a relative of Christie's and the only book with the correct genealogical
connections. Hamilton is a resident of Adair County, OK, and lives in the Cherokee community Ned lived and died in as well,
Wauhillau.
Hamilton is also a board member of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association.
CAHC Given Key to City and Proclamation
The "Historical Snapshots of Marshals Service History: The New South Meets Old West" National Symposium was held in Fort
Smith, Arkansas, on October 26. Held on the campus of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, the event sold out. Roy Hamilton of
the Cherokee Arts & Humanities Council (CAHC) represented the CAHC at the symposium and on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Fort Smith
Descendant's Day II.
Mayor Ray Baker presented Hamilton the Key to the City of Fort Smith, a proclamation declaring the day "Roy Hamilton Day," and
jokingly, a special pardon for the day. Mayor Baker welcomed Hamilton and other national and regional speakers, and an audience of
over 200 to Fort Smith.
"It is always my pleasure to introduce others to the rich culture and heritage of the Cherokees. Working with an amazing group of
young people at the Cherokee Arts and Humanities Council I have the opportunity to speak at events like this symposium often. I hope
I tell you things tonight that you never knew about Cherokees and our history. And, I hope you will leave with a better understanding
of who we are as a people and as a Nation," Hamilton said.
The national speakers include Roy Hamilton, president of the Cherokee Arts & Humanities Council. Hamilton, a Cherokee
citizen, historian and genealogist, and a great great nephew of Ned Christie. Christie was accused of killing a U. S. Marshal, but later
vindicated, but not before he was assassinated by U. S. Marshals. Although they were doing their jobs, it would be this case which led to
many years of Ned Christie being labeled an outlaw. Many books, magazine and newspaper articles have been written about him.
Hamilton's book "Ned Christie, Cherokee Warrior" has become a major publication sought after by many historians and avid readers
of western history. Hamilton's work is the only book written by a relative of Christie's and the only book with the correct genealogical
connections. Hamilton is a resident of Adair County, OK, and lives in the Cherokee community Ned lived and died in as well,
Wauhillau.
Hamilton is also a board member of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association.
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