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American Indians and U.S. Forest Service
Dedicate Re-Internment Site

by Nancy Thomas
Tuesday, November 17, 1998

Kentucky - The United States Forestry Service and members of the "Eastern Band of Cherokee" gathered Tuesday, November 10, in the Daniel Boone Forest, Somerset District, for a dedication memorial of an American Indian re-internment site. The area is referred to, in technical terms, as a re-internment area instead of a burial ground because remains that were excavated elsewhere are buried at the site, explained, district ranger for the forest service's Somerset District and Daniel Boone Forest Native American coordinator Jerry Stephens.
The remains and relics found at various sites, were moved in order to preserve and protect. Stephens said, the attempts to restore the actual sites have been futile as they have been repeatedly. Remains are kept in the special grounds, instead of "in files or cardboard boxes", Stephens said.
According to James Byrd, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have recently adopted a new re-burial policy, which states remains are to be buried as close to their original site as possible. When sites are looted, the scientific and historical value of artifacts taken or disturbed becomes nothing, he said. If an arrowhead is removed from its original setting, it cannot be linked to a place, people or time, said Byrd, who is involved in linguistics and anthropology.
The tribes that occupied Kentucky, including the Cherokee, Shawnee, Chickasaw, Delaware and Miami had an unspoken and unwritten cooperative agreement, which enabled them to "live in peace together" Byrd explained. The Cherokee, as well as other tribes, believe burial is significant as it completes the cycle of life as the decomposition of the body nourishes the ground.
James Byrd read the Cherokee inscriptions on the monuments at the dedication ceremony and Sam Lambert provided the interpretation.
"The Indian Resting Place", is written at the top of the monument, and below is Psalms 121:1-2, which reads, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
The excerpt from Psalms was said as a prayer before the Cherokee began the Trail of Tears, said Stevens.
The Commonweath of Kentucky's Governor, Paul E. Patton, and the President of the United States, have set November aside to honor American Indians for their significant influences on America. Stephens read Patton's proclamation near the end of the ceremony.

Kentucky 'Out of the Starting Gate.'
Photo I "Native American Heritage Month"
Photo II "Signing of Proclamation"
Photo III "Native American Commission"

There are approximately 11,600 enrolled EBCI members. The reservation now covers about 52,000 acres, said Mr. Lambert, the educational and training director of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Mr. Lambert's job is to find training opportunities and employment for people of his tribe, the tribe has an agreement with the forest that helps to provide employment, he said.
Ed Swan, resource manager at the Somerset District's ranger office, said the burial ground is located in a field adjacent to what is know as the "old Whitaker place". Mr. Swan said, he believed the land once belonged to John Whitaker, known as the timber baron of the Rockcastle River. The site is about 20 miles from Somerset, off Ky. 1956. The monument that marks the site was donated by Smith Monuments.