WATTS —
Students of Cherokee history are aware the tribe held slaves during the Civil War, but most of them believe Cherokee slaves were treated far better than those owned by white people.
Or were they?
According to “The Secret Life of the Cherokees,” a novel written by Murv Jacob, Debbie Duvall and James Murray, tribal slaveholders who educated their chattel were the exception, not the rule.
The trio presented Thursday’s Program Sandwiched In at the Tahlequah Public Library, reading excerpts from the recently published book and answering questions.
“It took us four or five years to complete the book,” said Jacob. “We researched over 200 books. People have little ideas about what history is, and they get into little niches. A lot of people don’t know the Cherokees of 300 years ago were a totally matrilineal society; it was completely run by women. It wasn’t until 1808 the power of the women fell to the European view.”
Duvall explained the novel – while containing a number of historical figures including Sequoyah, Stand Watie, John Ross, Sam Houston and Nancy Ward – has an underlying theme of life as experienced by a family of slaves and a family of Cherokees.
“We wanted to bring out things you don’t generally hear,” said Duvall. “For instance, it was common for sisters to marry one man. Multiple wives were common, while there weren’t multiple husbands.”
Duvall read several excerpts from the book, including the story of twin girls enamored with a particular Cherokee boy who was training to be a medicine man.
“You’ll find small scenes meant to demonstrate what you’ll never learn in history books,” said Duvall. “For instance, it’s unbelievable to me the Confederate flag used to fly over the Cherokee Courthouse, and slavery was huge within the tribe. I sat through [former Principal Chief] Chad [Smith’s] entire Cherokee history course and he never once mentioned a black person. Not once.”
Jacob said while the Cherokee Nation Gift Shop carries his “Rabbit” series of children’s books, it declined “The Secret History of the Cherokees.”
“They took one look at this one and said, ‘No, we don’t think we want to do that,’” said Jacob.
Jacob and Duvall are well-known for their children’s books, but Jacob said adding Murray to the mix for this “adult” novel was a perfect fit.
“James Murray showed up about five years ago,” said Jacob.
“He raises Catahoula dogs, and I’d drawn a cartoon for The Current [magazine] with Catahoula dogs. Anyway, Murray lives in the 1840s, and he knows so much about the Cherokees. He actually seemed to ‘get’ it.”
Duvall said while each of them wrote individual chapters, the novel was, in the end, a “gang” effort.
“All the chapters have a little bit of all us,” said Duvall. “We argued over every word of it. It has funny stuff, magical stuff, something for everyone.”
One attendee asked how the group compiled its information.
“A lot of it was stuff we already knew,” said Duvall. “We got a lot of information from books and online, and a lot taken from people who just came by to visit.”
Jacob said a number of people stopped by his art studio and told stories passed down through their families.
“We’re already working on the sequel,” said Jacob. “Several people know about this, and are already coming by to share stories.”
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