A group of Cherokee bicycle riders were recognized near the opening of the State of Nation program Saturday as part of the Cherokee National Holiday.
Those riders, which included Principal Chief Chad Smith, pedaled through the Trail of Tears route earlier this year. A previous group made the 900-mile trek 25 years ago.
Smith chose to speak of a journey during his State of the Nation address and urged Cherokee tribal members to learn from what they observe.
“When I was inaugurated as principal chief 10 years ago, traditionalist Benny Smith admonished me to be a student of the Cherokee Nation and people,” Smith said. “I have done that each day since then, and report to you now on the state of our nation, our progress and our challenges.”
This past year, the Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokees held the 25th anniversary of the Joint Council meeting at Red Clay, Tenn. Red Clay was the seat of the tribal government between 1834 and 1838 because the oppressive laws of Georgia prohibited the Cherokees from meeting in their own capital of New Echota.
Smith said that was a good reunion, and one moment particularly touched him deeply.
“Lauren Hummingbird, a fourth-grader in our immersion school, was there using her laptop computer to instant-message her teacher and classmates back home in the Cherokee syllabary,” he said.
He urged those in attendance to think about the significance of that event and remember that in 1838, when the Cherokees left Red Clay, the syllabary was barely a generation old. But now, nearly 200 years later, tribal children are not only speaking Cherokee – they are also reading, writing and even kidding in Cherokee.
“Lauren and her classmates are not just learning their language in school, they are learning leadership,” Smith told the crowd. “They are learning from all they observe. From parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents, they are learning from us every minute. Let us set the example of the leadership we hope to see in them someday.”
Smith said the Cherokee people have given him the opportunity, as principal chief, to observe many things from many walks of life. He said he has done his best to learn from what he observes.
“I have come to your homes to listen to the concerns of your families and communities and to be inspired by your accomplishments,” he said. “I have worked beside you on waterlines in communities from Park Hill to Spring Creek and helped raise community buildings from South Coffeyville to Bell.”
He said he has accepted criticism and has tried to respond with logic and reason. He added that he has worked long and hard as the principal chief.
“I have enjoyed that work,” Smith said. “I have been challenged with difficult decisions and have turned to some of our best Cherokee minds to advise me. I thank you for those experiences and lessons.”
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