My Cherokee Heritage

Words: 924
Pages: 4
Open Document
From birth, my Cherokee heritage has had a major influence on my life. Growing up on the reservation instilled family values and incited a passion inside me that I do not think I would possess if I had been kept separate from my culture.

When one wanders around downtown Cherokee they will see the unique manner in which the intricate bear sculptures and modern casino combine with the dilapidated buildings to create the peculiar atmosphere of the place I called home for so many years. While an outsider may feel as though the new and worn down buildings are at a discord I believe they have a very different effect. For me, Cherokee is the physical manifestation of the tribulations that my ancestors overcame to become a society who still maintain …show more content…
In the time that I lived on the reservation, I attended every powwow and my father was a traveling dancer with one for awhile, but even after my departure I still attended the annual powwow held in Port Orange. The drum beats and voices always leave me with a tugging feeling in my chest that is guiding me to North Carolina. Aside from Powwows, I listen to Native American music traditional and modern renditions in the car and around the house. From Cherokee flute music to a Tribe Called Red blaring from my speakers it is not uncommon to find me in the midst of my own Pow Wow. Other parts of Cherokee have also been very influential in my life such as my grandmother's traditional basket weaving. I can not count the number of hours I spent by her side as she created one of the many white oak baskets around the house and around …show more content…
Remnants of the former disdain the United States held for Native American is carved directly through the reservation in the form of the Trail of Tears and inadequate health care also presents major issues. I have transformed the nation's issues into the source of my inspiration to succeed in my journey to become a doctor as my tribe using the addiction and disease epidemics that have befallen the nation to encourage and could be reduced with proper education and preventative care. Accordingly, Cherokee has incited a passion to succeed within me with its resolute nature, and I aspire to obtain a career in the medical field so I can one day return and assist my
Show More

Related Documents: My Cherokee Heritage

Cherokee Life Research Paper

“Cherokee Life” “Sit down kids, I got a story to tell you.” Red Foot announced to his grandchildren as they scampered about. Red took a seat in the chair on the front porch as the children gathered around in excitement. “I think you kids should know about my Cherokee life.” The children sat with amazed gazes as Red began his story. “We Cherokees’ were in tribes located in these areas; south Alleghenies, southwest Virginia, western North Carolina and South Carolina, north Georgia, east Tennessee…

Words 765 - Pages 4

The Trail of Tears, Indian Removal Act of 1830 Essay

Sarah Nawotny 11/24/2012 ENG 101-I NATIVE AMERICANS: the trail of tears, the indian removal act of 1830, reservation opression I have decided to dive into the depths of the American Indians and the reasoning behind all of the poverty and the oppression of the “white man.” In doing so I came across a couple of questions that I would like to answer. A). How did the Indian Removal Act of 1830 affect Native American culture, financial status, health, and B). Identity and how is life on the reservation…

Words 1993 - Pages 8

Reflective Essay On The Trail Of Tears

I chose the Trail of Tears as my topic because it is a subject that I am very passionate about. I have had a passion for Native Americans and what happened during the Trail of Tears for a very long time and I am thrilled to be able to fulfill my dream of doing justice to what happened during the Trail of Tears. When I first discovered the theme for the 2016 National History Day, I wanted to include other topics and see which was the best, but it was no competition, I was positive that I was going…

Words 466 - Pages 2

Loretta Lynn Research Paper

One of his statements in this award highlighted her ability to breakthrough an industry that was long dominated by men. Number Three: She Promotes Her American Native Heritage Loretta Lynn's two grandmother's and one grandfather is of Cherokee Decedent. She hosts a Native American Indian Association Pow Wow each summer at her ranch to celebrate her roots. Number Two: One of Her Most Popular Songs Was Banned Loretta Lynn's song, The Pill written in 1975…

Words 474 - Pages 2

Davy Crockett Inaccuracies

The Inaccuracy of Davy Crockett: The King of the Wild Frontier. The movie “Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier” reflects the “truth” of how kids and adults were informed about Native Americans back in the 19th century, while later being proven false. The history portrayed in this film is ultimately inaccurate and pushes harmful stereotypes about Native Americans. Throughout this essay, we will explore the inaccuracies of the movie “Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier” and the impact of…

Words 481 - Pages 2

Jacob Salmon Research Paper

It is said that Jacob Salmon, who would be the 3rd great grandfather of the youngest Salmon to date, was half cherokee. Through research, it was never determined whether this is true or not. Either way, it is apparent there there is at least a fraction of Indian blood in the family from someone down the line. It was surprising to find that Jacob was a Revolutionary…

Words 973 - Pages 4

Essay on Diversity: The Cosby Show and Things

past, today’s youth are automatically engulfed in diversity in school. Integrated classrooms are now the normal setting for today’s study groups. Many schools offer special classes such as this one that help define and showcase everyone’s unique heritage and advantageous differences. Many of these classes don’t go deep enough, however, to dispel stereotypes or to…

Words 1592 - Pages 7

Did Andrew Jackson's Removal Act Benefit the Indians? Essay

Robert V. Remini shows that Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act benefits the Native Americans. Andrew Jackson made notice of the issue with the Indians in his inaugural speech on March 4, 1829. He declared that he wanted to give humane and considerable attention to the Indian’s rights and wants in respect to the government and people. Jackson knew that meant to get rid of all remaining tribes beyond the Mississippi River. He (Jackson) believed that the Indians would be better off in the west; without…

Words 1687 - Pages 7

Wordsmith 5e Ch10 Essay

CHAPTER 10 Writing an Essay Chapter Goal: Write a clear, organized essay that includes an engaging introduction, supportive body paragraphs, and an effective conclusion.           T I C K E T This ticket entitles those who have mastered the essay to move freely within the academic world, to express themselves in a way that professors will respect, and to modify the essay format to fit any type of academic writing.           Y 172 172 172 Wordsmith: A Guide to…

Words 8784 - Pages 36

American Indian Environmental Issue Essay

offer and on theinvolvementNative of in large-scale Country. thoughts people as schemes and inthefuture. human-environment conservation, relations, development, wellas comanagement today [Keywords: American Indians] THOUGHTSIN THIS MY ideas thatI originallyARTICLEAREFRAMEDby advancedin TheEcological Indian:Myth and History (Krech1999) and by subsequent reactions thatwork, to ones revealing fault lines including in cultural The printand online reaction The to politics…

Words 6460 - Pages 26