Chikamaka
The Chikamaka People are descended from a confederacy united under Tsiyugunsini (Dragging Canoe) of warriors from several Nations. They united under a common goal of land preservation. This confederacy was made up primarily of Cherokee, Creek, Shawnee, Catawba, Saponi, Mohawk, Delaware, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and their Tory Allies. Most of these allies were Scottish, Irish, or German.
WE the Chikamakas who stayed in the homeland and inhabited what is now known as the South Cumberland Plateau assimilated into the mainstream of Society all the while teaching our children about who they really were. Over the years we intermarried with other races as well as amongst ourselves. Some things were forgotten and some practices ceased. During the Forced Removal we remained in our Mountain stronghold basically untouched by US Forces. Because we had fought the whites for over twenty years our forefathers were denied allotments and basic rights granted to those who descended from “Peaceful Indians.” Because we had fought for what was ours we were known to both “Whites” and “Peaceful” Indians as “The Hostiles.” We are proud of this nickname. If you have any doubts about how hostile we can be, come to our country and find out. We are as friendly as you will let us be. We aided in the escape of numerous Indians who passed our way. Some chose to remain and become a part of us. In conducting research into our genealogy you will find records of people’s deaths but will never find that person on any US Census as they chose not to participate. Others did participate and were either labeled as “White”, Mulatto, or “Free Person’s of Color.”
In order to properly conduct census searches one must check the following counties as boundaries changed and new counties were formed: Grundy, Marion, Coffee, Franklin, Warren, and Sequatchie.
Because of the various backgrounds intermingled in one people it is not uncommon to have a Chikamaka of fair skin and blue eyes with an Indian blood quantum of 50%. Just because someone doesn’t meet the stereotypical image portrayed by Hollywood do not make assumptions regarding their race and heritage. We are proud of our ancestry. You should be proud of yours too.
Finding My People:
I had always heard that I had native blood. When researching my family and finding everything and finding my people was such a enjoyment and a sense of pride. I had done what others, in the family, had failed to do. Adding to the above information, provided by the Chikamaka website (link below). A lot of native people also claimed "Black Dutch" as in the case of my family. So with much honor I am delighted to exclaim " I AM CHIKAMAKA AND PROUD!!!".
LINKS
