I am writing and adding this so that there is a guild for
Those with the wrong information concerning
the way of our people and ancestors.

It is important that we teach the way of life for the
Cherokee people and others as well. We are human beings
And we have many things in common
with others in this world, physically,
but we are different in cultural ways.
To have understanding, we must have respect for People,
in order to gain all respect for all. We need to learn
to understand each other. Respect precedes understanding.


The Cherokee today are not the same as our ancestors of hundreds
and thousands of years before. Our culture had evolved through the
years of time and continues to change as life in this world changes.
This is true for all cultures and will continue to be.


Things to remember so you are able to understand the Native way of life more.

1. Avoid using these words “Indians, Native Americans” when talking to
or referring to one Nation or culture. Would one say the Germans
when they really mean the French?

2. When referring to the indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere ,
the words Native People, American Indian, and Native Americans
are not preferred.

3. Stereotypic portrayals of Native People as Hostile, Stealthy, Warlike, Fierce,
Savage, etc. Should never be used.
We are all human beings that have traits
of good and bad just like everyone else.

4.Words such as: squaw, brave, and papoose are not preferred.
Words such as Woman, Man, and Baby are the correct words to use.
The other words are insults to our people.
5.Avoid phrases like: Acting like wild Indians, Indian giver,
I’m Gonna go on the warpath, Hey lets have a powwow, Paleface,
Redskin, Walk Indian file, etc. These are not phrases that are likely
to be taken to. Would be the same if you were called a name.

6.Never think that a child of Native heritage knows everything from
the past, as they are not experts by any means when it comes to his
or her culture.

7.Never assume that the skills of the adults can be learned easily
by the children. This is not a childish life or a simple life.
It takes years for them to learn the skills of the adults so that it
can be mastered later by the children.

8.Never use the words Prehistoric or Primitive, That only means
that before the presence of the Europeans methods, and the
Native People were quit able to care for them selves, and could
everyone today master what they had to, to survive many years ago?
Think about this: Can you hunt from the land with hand made items
so you have enough to eat to survive?
Or live in a home made by your own hands?
(with no help from modern machines)
Make your clothes by hand with no cotton from a store?
Or even make your beads by hand? (now made else where)

9.Never refer to the Europeans as the first settlers. That assumption
is that the Native People just ran all over the land, and they have
been settled here for many of thousand years. So you see the
Europeans were not the First Settlers.
To many people think so though.

10.Distinguish people for who they are such as: Native People,
Do not refer to them as Indians, and Europeans refer to them
As who they are not as just people. We all have different nationalities.
You and I, All of us do.

11.Do not re-enact Native ceremonies. This is considered to be sacrilegious.
And should never be done.

12.Do not dress up animals, and children in pictures as Indians.
Some Items are to be worn only after it is earned, and then with
Permission is worn, even among the Native People. There are
many items that are this way. So you see no one should ever
do this with any way of life

13.Generalizations such as: Indians lived in tipis, should never be used.
After all not all Native People lived in tipis, but certain cultures did and,
still do so today. They should be respected. After all would you set back,
and say that the Europeans all lived in castles? I think not.

14. Native People are not mascots, objects to be counted or put in
alphabetized order. We are human beings and we do have a heart,
and do get hurt feelings.

15. The stories of “Native People being above human faults….”
Well let’s put it this way. The proper way to say it is this:
“The Native People did not like waste, and discouraged it.”
What we take from the land should not be wasted but used.
That is the correct way to express those words.

I hope I have covered everything in this but if I have missed something
and you notice it, Please let me know and I will gladly add it to the list.
Wado (Thank You)