SAN DIEGO─The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chad "Corntassel" Smith, and his Deputy Chief, Joe Grayson, came to San Diego on March 25 to discuss the state of the Cherokee Nation.
Chief Smith presented a plan to guide the Cherokee people for the next 100 years. "Why should we have a 100 year plan? We won't be here, but who will? Our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren. That's why we should think 100 years from now." says Chief Smith.
His plan focused on three things: to create more jobs for his people, to revitalize the Cherokee language, and to build a stronger sense of community.
"One example is the Cherokee word, 'ga-du-gi' which means to be selfless, to come together and work for the benefit of the community."
"We don't need another Nation; we just need community within that Nation. Help the people within that Nation to form themselves, to enjoy each other's company, and help each other out," says Smith.
"To revitalize our culture, we learn the language, and learn the values and attributes that have been there. One example is the Cherokee word, 'ga-du-gi' which means to be selfless, to come together and work for the benefit of the community. It's a concept of selfless public service, and that increases people's quality of life. When you do that, the culture is in your actions, not just in expressions of culture," explains Smith.
According to a US census which was taken in 2000, the Cherokee people are the most numerous of the Native Americans, with approximately 250,000 people who form the Nation.
"It's not about whether you're Cherokee or not, it's just being kind to people."
"Like most American-Indians, not everything today is traditional. We're living in a modern world, being modern people, with modern problems. Yet, we've established a strong sense of community. Giving people the opportunity to get together, share stories, and share times," Says Phil Konstantin, one of the Seven Interim Council Members in San Diego.
With many difficult years behind them, the Cherokee have begun to flourish. And with the leadership of Chief Chad Smith, they have become a very positive and well recognized economic force in Eastern Oklahoma.
In Cherokee culture, there is an emphasis on "ga-du-gi," and that concept is today being applied in every department, business, and program within the Cherokee Nation.
"The motive to work in a traditional Cherokee community is different. For example, we have a saying, 'A kind man cannot help his neighbor in need unless he has a surplus, and he cannot have a surplus unless he works.' Cherokees work so that they can be better neighbors, not to create wealth," says Smith.
The traditional culture has been the base of the Nation's development, and the language is regarded as being one of the foundations of that culture. Great emphasis has been placed in language programs in all levels of the schools. The Cherokee people have also held tightly to their traditional religion and medicinal practices.
"The old Cherokees had what we call, being a good mind. We approached everything with an open mind. It's a different culture. We approach religion with an open mind. We believe in one creator, and we believe that that creator created everybody. You'll see Cherokees flock to religion, but we still have the utmost respect to our old native culture and our old native religion. We hold onto our traditions," says Deputy Chief, Joe Grayson.
"Our children are growing up in the mainstream culture. Now, we can't stop that. They see the ways of the old people," says Grayson. "You don't listen to your parents until you get old, then one day you realize that they were right. They were right all along. Now, I'm in my position where I'm getting old, and my children are realizing that we do have something to say, and that our values were right; raise your family, teach your kids right from wrong, teach them to take care of each other… It's not about whether you're Cherokee or not, it's just being kind to people."
The Inter-Tribal Environmental Council (ITEC) was established to protect the health of American Indians, the environment, and the natural resources. The Cherokee Nation has stood at the lead of the ITEC since 1992 and is recognized today as one of America's largest voices for environmental protection.
When asked about restoring the old ways of the Cherokee people, Chief Smith said, "You use the word restore, I don't use the word restore. Restore is when it's gone and you have to rebuild it. Actually, I think it's still there. People just need to grow it, to nurture it, and understand it."
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