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The '''Cherokee''' or '''Tsalagi''' are a tribe of [[North American Indians]] ([[Native American|Native Americans]]) who originally lived in the area of the southern [[Appalachian Mountains]] from the western Carolinas and eastern [[Tennessee]] to northern [[Georgia]], and now reside primarily in [[North Carolina]] and [[Oklahoma]]. It can also refer to the Iroquoian [[Tsalagi|language]] spoken by the Cherokee. There are "Cherokee Counties" in several states, including [[Texas]], [[South Carolina]], Oklahoma, and Georgia. The Cherokee were the largest Native American (Indian) group in the [[United States]], several tribes formed the "Cherokee Nation." The name is derived from the Creek Indian, meaning "people with another language." <ref>http://www.native-languages.org/cherokee.htm</ref>

The '''Cherokee''' or '''Tsalagi''' are a tribe of [[North American Indians]] ([[Native American]]s) who originally lived in the area of the southern [[Appalachian Mountains]] from the western Carolinas and eastern [[Tennessee]] to northern [[Georgia]], and now reside primarily in [[North Carolina]] and [[Oklahoma]]. It can also refer to the Iroquoian [[Tsalagi|language]] spoken by the Cherokee. There are "Cherokee Counties" in several states, including [[Texas]], [[South Carolina]], Oklahoma, and Georgia. The Cherokee were the largest Native American (Indian) group in the [[United States]], several tribes formed the "Cherokee Nation." The name is derived from the Creek Indian, meaning "people with another language." <ref>http://www.native-languages.org/cherokee.htm</ref>

While some Indian tribes, notably the Coquille, allow same-sex marriage, the Cherokee and [[Navajo]] do not. <ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26344598/</ref> In 2006, a same-sex Cherokee pair in Oklahoma got married (although they never submitted the marriage certificate to government officials outside the tribe) and shortly afterward, the Cherokee Tribal council adopted a law banning same-sex marriage.<ref>

While some Indian tribes, notably the Coquille, allow same-sex marriage, the Cherokee and [[Navajo]] do not.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26344598/</ref> In 2006, a same-sex Cherokee pair in Oklahoma got married (although they never submitted the marriage certificate to government officials outside the tribe) and shortly afterward, the Cherokee Tribal council adopted a law banning same-sex marriage.<ref>

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=&sc3=&id=79241</ref> <ref>http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/348373/top_us_indian_court_upholds_first_gay_marriage/index.html</ref>

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=&sc3=&id=79241</ref><ref>http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/348373/top_us_indian_court_upholds_first_gay_marriage/index.html</ref>

For racial reasons, in 2007 a group of [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] congressmen and congresswomen introduced a bill in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] to "terminate" the Cherokee Nation.<ref>http://www.tanasijournal.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=365&Itemid=1&ed=53</ref> The Democratic Party has long history of antipathy towards [[American Indian]]s, most notably Democrat president [[Andrew Jackson]], who was responsible for a forced relocation of thousands of American Indians known as the "[[Trail of Tears]]."

For racial reasons, in 2007 a group of [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] congressmen and congresswomen introduced a bill in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] to "terminate" the Cherokee Nation.<ref>http://www.tanasijournal.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=365&Itemid=1&ed=53</ref> The Democratic Party has long history of antipathy towards [[American Indian]]s, most notably Democrat president [[Andrew Jackson]], who was responsible for a forced relocation of thousands of American Indians known as the "[[Trail of Tears]]."

In 2012, [[liberal]] Democrat [[Massachusetts]] [[U.S. Senate]] candidate [[Elizabeth Warren]] sparked controversy when it was revealed that for years she had falsely claimed to have Cherokee ancestry in order to take advantage of [[affirmative action]] policies.

In 2012, [[liberal]] Democrat [[Massachusetts]] [[U.S. Senate]] candidate [[Elizabeth Warren]] sparked controversy when it was revealed that for years she had falsely claimed to have Cherokee ancestry in order to take advantage of [[affirmative action]] policies.

===Cherokee Tribes===

==Cherokee Tribes==

The Cherokee societal structure is divided into 7 clans within the Cherokee nation. A Cherokee inherits his clan from his mother.<ref>http://www.georgiatribeofeasterncherokee.com/cherokeeclans.htm</ref>

The Cherokee societal structure is divided into 7 clans within the Cherokee nation. A Cherokee inherits his clan from his mother.<ref>http://www.georgiatribeofeasterncherokee.com/cherokeeclans.htm</ref>

* The Blue clan (a-ni-sa-ho-ni)

* The Blue clan (a-ni-sa-ho-ni)

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Indian Removal Act of 1830]]

*[[Indian Removal Act of 1830]]

*[[Tsalagi]] - the Cherokee syllabary

*[[Tsalagi]] - the Cherokee syllabary

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.cherokee.org/ The Cherokee Nation]

*[http://www.cherokee.org/ The Cherokee Nation]

*[http://www.cherokeehistory.com/ Cherokee history]

*[http://www.cherokeehistory.com/ Cherokee history]