The United Keetoowah Band Of Cherokee Indians: A History And Legacy

What is the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians?

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Oklahoma. It is the largest of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States, with over 14,000 enrolled members.

The UKB is a self-governing nation with its own constitution, laws, and government. It provides a wide range of services to its members, including healthcare, education, housing, and economic development.

The UKB is also a strong advocate for Cherokee rights and culture. It has played a leading role in protecting Cherokee lands and resources, and in promoting Cherokee culture and language.

Importance of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

The UKB is an important part of the Cherokee Nation and of Oklahoma. It provides essential services to its members and is a strong advocate for Cherokee rights and culture.

The UKB is also a significant economic force in Oklahoma. It owns and operates a variety of businesses, including casinos, hotels, and restaurants. These businesses generate revenue that is used to fund tribal programs and services.

The UKB and the Cherokee Nation

The UKB is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States. The other two tribes are the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The UKB and the Cherokee Nation have a close relationship. They share a common history and culture, and they work together to protect Cherokee rights and culture.

The UKB and Oklahoma

The UKB is a major part of the Oklahoma community. It is the largest Native American tribe in the state, and it has a significant economic impact.

The UKB is also a strong advocate for Oklahoma. It works to protect the state's natural resources and to promote economic development.

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Oklahoma. It is one of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States.

• History: The UKB was formed in 1867 as a result of the Treaty of New Echota.
• Culture: The UKB is a vibrant and diverse culture with its own language, traditions, and government.
• Community: The UKB is a close-knit community that provides a wide range of services to its members.
• Economy: The UKB owns and operates a variety of businesses, including casinos, hotels, and restaurants.
• Government: The UKB is a self-governing nation with its own constitution, laws, and government.

These five key aspects provide a comprehensive overview of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. They highlight the tribe's history, culture, community, economy, and government. Together, these aspects paint a picture of a vibrant and thriving Native American tribe.

History

The Treaty of New Echota was a land cession treaty signed in 1835 between the United States government and the Cherokee Nation. The treaty required the Cherokee to cede their lands in the southeastern United States and relocate to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).

Many Cherokee resisted the treaty, and the forced removal of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands became known as the Trail of Tears. However, some Cherokee leaders, including John Ross, believed that the treaty was the best way to protect the Cherokee people and their culture.

The UKB was formed in 1867 by a group of Cherokee who had opposed the Treaty of New Echota. They believed that the treaty was illegal and that the Cherokee had a right to their ancestral lands.

The UKB has continued to fight for the rights of the Cherokee people. They have been successful in winning back some of the lands that were ceded in the Treaty of New Echota, and they have also worked to preserve Cherokee culture and traditions.

The history of the UKB is a story of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges they have faced, the UKB has remained a strong and vibrant community.

Culture

Culture is a vital part of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB). It is what makes the UKB unique and distinct from other tribes. The UKB's culture is based on the traditional values of the Cherokee people, and it is reflected in the tribe's language, traditions, and government.

The UKB's language is Cherokee, which is a member of the Iroquoian language family. Cherokee is a complex and beautiful language, and it is spoken by over 10,000 people today. The UKB is working to preserve and revitalize the Cherokee language, and it offers a variety of language classes and programs.

The UKB's traditions are also an important part of its culture. These traditions include storytelling, dancing, and crafts. The UKB has a rich oral tradition, and its stories are passed down from generation to generation. The UKB also has a variety of dances, which are performed at powwows and other cultural events. The UKB's crafts are also well-known, and they include basket weaving, pottery, and beadwork.

The UKB's government is based on the traditional principles of the Cherokee people. The UKB is a self-governing nation, and it has its own constitution, laws, and government. The UKB's government is responsible for providing a wide range of services to its members, including healthcare, education, and housing.

The UKB's culture is a vital part of its identity. It is what makes the UKB unique and distinct from other tribes. The UKB is working to preserve and revitalize its culture, and it is committed to passing it on to future generations.

Community

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a close-knit community that provides a wide range of services to its members. This strong sense of community is essential to the well-being of the UKB and its members.

• Healthcare: The UKB provides a comprehensive healthcare system to its members, including primary care, dental care, and mental health services. The UKB also operates a hospital and a nursing home.
• Education: The UKB provides educational opportunities to its members from preschool through college. The UKB operates several schools, including a K-12 school and a college.
• Housing: The UKB provides affordable housing to its members. The UKB owns and operates several housing developments, and it also provides financial assistance to members who are purchasing homes.
• Economic development: The UKB is committed to economic development in its community. The UKB owns and operates several businesses, and it also provides financial assistance to members who are starting their own businesses.

The UKB's strong sense of community and its commitment to providing a wide range of services to its members are essential to the well-being of the tribe. The UKB is a vibrant and thriving community, and it is a model for other Native American tribes.

Economy

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) owns and operates a variety of businesses, including casinos, hotels, and restaurants. These businesses are a major source of revenue for the UKB, and they provide jobs for many tribal members.

• Job Creation: The UKB's businesses provide jobs for many tribal members. This helps to reduce unemployment and poverty on the reservation.
• Economic Development: The UKB's businesses help to stimulate economic development on the reservation. This can lead to new businesses and jobs, and it can also improve the quality of life for tribal members.
• Revenue Generation: The UKB's businesses generate revenue for the tribe. This revenue can be used to fund essential services, such as healthcare, education, and housing.
• Community Development: The UKB's businesses can help to improve the quality of life for tribal members. For example, the UKB's casinos have helped to fund the construction of a new hospital and a new school.

The UKB's businesses are an important part of the tribe's economy. They provide jobs, stimulate economic development, generate revenue, and improve the quality of life for tribal members.

Government

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a self-governing nation with its own constitution, laws, and government. This unique form of government allows the UKB to exercise a high degree of autonomy and control over its own affairs.

• Sovereignty: The UKB is a sovereign nation, which means that it has the right to govern itself and make its own laws. This sovereignty is recognized by the United States government, and it gives the UKB the authority to manage its own affairs and resources.
• Self-Governance: The UKB is self-governing, which means that it has the ability to make its own decisions and manage its own affairs. This self-governance is essential to the UKB's ability to preserve its culture and traditions.
• Constitution: The UKB has its own constitution, which is the supreme law of the tribe. The constitution establishes the structure and powers of the UKB government, and it protects the rights of tribal members.
• Laws: The UKB has its own laws, which are enacted by the tribal council. These laws cover a wide range of topics, including criminal justice, civil procedure, and taxation.

The UKB's government is essential to the tribe's ability to maintain its sovereignty and self-governance. The government provides a wide range of services to tribal members, and it works to protect the tribe's culture and traditions.

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians FAQs

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Oklahoma. It is one of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States. The UKB has a long and rich history, and it is committed to preserving its culture and traditions.

Question 1: What is the history of the UKB?

The UKB was formed in 1867 as a result of the Treaty of New Echota. The treaty required the Cherokee to cede their lands in the southeastern United States and relocate to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Many Cherokee resisted the treaty, and the forced removal of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands became known as the Trail of Tears.

Question 2: What is the culture of the UKB?

The UKB is a vibrant and diverse culture with its own language, traditions, and government. The UKB's language is Cherokee, which is a member of the Iroquoian language family. Cherokee is a complex and beautiful language, and it is spoken by over 10,000 people today. The UKB's traditions are also an important part of its culture. These traditions include storytelling, dancing, and crafts.

Summary: The UKB is a proud and resilient people with a rich culture and history. The UKB is committed to preserving its culture and traditions, and it is working to build a better future for its members.

Conclusion

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is a vibrant and thriving Native American tribe. The UKB has a long and rich history, and it is committed to preserving its culture and traditions. The UKB is also a major economic and political force in Oklahoma.

The UKB is a model for other Native American tribes. The UKB has shown that it is possible for Native American tribes to maintain their sovereignty and self-governance while also participating in the modern world. The UKB is a shining example of the resilience and determination of the Cherokee people.