Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Redbird Smith stated in early 1900:

"I have always believed that the Great Creator had a great design for my people, the Cherokees. I have been taught that from my childhood up and now in my mature manhood I recognize it as a great truth. Our forces have been dissipated by the external forces, perhaps it has been just a training, but we must now get together as a race and render our contribution to mankind. We are endowed with intelligence, we are industrious, we are loyal and we are spiritual but we are overlooking the Cherokee mission on earth, for no man nor race is endowed with these qualifications without a designed purpose... Our Mixed-bloods should not be overlooked in this program of a racial awakening. Our pride in our ancestral heritage is our great incentive for handing something worth while to our posterity. It is this pride in ancestry that makes men strong and loyal for their principal in life. It is this same pride that makes men give up their all for their Government."

My great grandfather was Redbird Smith and his statements seem very appropriate for the times. Last night we saw at the Council meeting the same 8-7 split. The Byrd loyalists after agreeing at two Rules Committee to enact a law requiring attorney fees to be approved in advance by the Council was defeated by the Byrd loyalists. This bill was design to stop administrative practices that lead to a Washington D.C. being paid $620,000 although accounting could never find a contract. These times must be the darkest since the Curtis Act of 1898 which set out to destroy the Cherokee Nation. It was during this time that Redbird spoke. The destruction of the Cherokee Nation now comes daily as larger and larger pieces of our resources and sovereignty are being surrendered by the present administration. It appears we must go back to the basic tenants of survival which Redbird described in another dark time. This administration will pass but we must look to how to rebuild the Cherokee Nation because I think we who value the Cherokee Nation believe there is a designed purpose for the tribe and its people.