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Flag of the Eastern Band Cherokee |
| Total population |
|---|
| 13,000+ |
| Regions with significant populations |
| North Carolina |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Christianity (mostly Protestant), traditional tribal religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Iroquois (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora), Nottoway, Meherrin, Coree, Wyandot, Mingo |
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), ᏣᎳᎩᏱ ᏕᏣᏓᏂᎸᎩ or Tsalagiyi Detsadanilvgi is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States of America, who are descended from Cherokee who remained in the Eastern United States while others moved, or were forced to relocate, to the west in the 19th century.[1] The history of the Eastern Band closely follows that of the Qualla Boundary. The EBCI also own, hold, or maintain additional lands in the vicinity, and as far away as 100 miles from the Qualla Boundary. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are primarily the descendants of those persons listed on the Baker Rolls of Cherokee Indians.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes, the others being the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, both in Oklahoma.
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The Eastern Band members are primarily descended from Cherokee who did not participate in the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Principal Chief Yonaguska, with the help of his adopted European-American son, William Holland Thomas, managed to evade removal. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still practice many of the original tribal ceremonies. Many prominent Cherokee historians are affiliated with, or are members of the Eastern Band.
Tsali (pronounced [ˈtsali]) opposed the removal. He remained in the traditional Cherokee lands with a small group who resisted the US Army and tried to thwart the removal on what became known as the Trail of Tears. Tsali was eventually captured. He was executed by the United States in exchange for the lives of the small band he protected. They were allowed to remain in the Cherokee homeland, and their descendants have been recognized as the modern Eastern Band.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian exhibits an extensive collection of artifacts and items of historical and cultural interest, from the early Mississippian Period through modern times, related to the Cherokee Culture. The Cherokee Heritage Center displays historical artifacts related to the Trail of Tears, and the development of the Oklahoma Cherokee culture.
More than two dozen Christian churches of various denominations are located within the Qualla Boundary. Many of the traditional religious practices of the Eastern Band have, over time, blended with new age views and customs according to Cherokee traditionalists. They have diverged as the result of cultural isolation of the various factions of Cherokee Society. Many traditional dances and ceremonies are still practiced by the Eastern Band.
The Eastern Band has begun a language immersion program requiring all graduating high-school seniors to speak the tribal language beginning 2007. Of the total population in the Qualla Boundary, there are approximately 900 speakers, 72% of whom are over the age of 50.[2]
The Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation, officially known as the Qualla Boundary, is located at in western North Carolina, just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The main part of the reservation lies in eastern Swain County and northern Jackson County, but smaller non-contiguous sections are located to the southwest in Cherokee County (Cheoah community) and Graham County (Snowbird community). A small part of the main reservation extends eastward into Haywood County. The total land area of these parts is 213.934 km² (82.600 sq mi), with a 2000 census resident population of 8,092 persons.[3] The Qualla Boundary is not a reservation, but rather a "land trust" supervised by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. The land was a fragment of the extensive original homeland of the Cherokee Nation. The people had to purchase their land to regain it after it was taken over by the US government.
Today the tribe earns most of its revenue from a combination of Federal/State funds, tourism, and the Harrah's Cherokee Casino, instituted in the early 1990s.
In 1988, the United States Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which allowed federally recognized tribes to establish casinos on tribal property. Under the act, tribes are limited to offer casino games that correspond to the existing level of gaming allowed under state law; North Carolina was unique in permitting the Cherokee to establish a casino offering Class III gaming, well before the state allowed a lottery. The typical pattern has been for states to offer a lottery, followed by an agreement between the state and the Indian tribe to allow establishment of a casino or other form of gambling operation.[4]
The first major casino in North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino (part of the Harrah's Entertainment corporation), was opened on the reservation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the western part of the state on November 13, 1997.[5] The casino was the result of nearly ten years of negotiations among tribal, state, and federal officials. Tribal Chief Jonathan “Ed” Taylor and North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt developed a plan for a casino that would meet state laws and satisfy local and tribal concerns.[4]
Tribal leaders wanted to be able to offer more than just bingo and other Class I forms of gambling, to attract large crowds. The tribe had previously opened a small casino offering forms of video poker and electronic bingo. This had been challenged by the Asheville U.S Attorney on the grounds that the tribe was offering a form of gambling that was not legal elsewhere in North Carolina. The tribe wanted to ensure agreements to prevent such problems.[4]
Many Cherokee leaders opposed the establishment of a casino on tribal lands. The tribe’s spiritual leader, Walker Calhoun, said in 1995 that “gambling would be the Cherokee’s damnation.” The tribe and Governor Hunt came to agreement: the casino would be allowed to offer electronic games that required “skill or dexterity” and with a maximum jackpot of $25,000; table games were to be prohibited; and alcohol was not permitted. One half of the annual casino earnings were to be divided among all members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee tribe as an annual bonus.[4]
Since the inception of the North Carolina lottery in August 2005, Harrah’s Cherokee casino has been permitted to extend its offered games to include Class II and III gambling. As thousands of people visit Harrah’s each year and the casino’s popularity continues to increase, the economic benefits of the casino have become evident. Annually, at least $5 million of casino profits is given to the Cherokee Preservation Fund; an institution which pays for projects that promote non-gambling economic development, protect the environment, and preserve Cherokee heritage and culture.[6] Another portion of casino profits goes to improving tribal health-care, education, housing, etc. Part of the revenue also goes to the state of North Carolina, as provided by the agreement drafted by Taylor and Hunt.[4]
The casino earned $155 million in yearly profit in 2004, which gave approximately $6,000 dollars to each tribal member in that same year.[4]
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