AR....Litte Rock, University of AR, Sequoah Research Center (I believe), has extensive work on the various routes....as all of them went through their state. They also have an extensive digital library, that has articles in papers, written of the accounts of the boat loads of "natives" who took the water route. AR is also rich with native history from the time, previous to 1817, when Cherokee were allotted land over near what is now "Fort Smith". In fact, the Keetowah Band of Cherokee is working with a developer and the BIA to purchase (I believe) land that was originally allotted to them before they were moved to OK in 1817. They are planning to erect a casino, shopping mall, etc., For details on that....go to the Keetowah Band site....and read there info. My belief is also that when the Chickamaugan Cherokee, separated from the rest of the Cherokee, in the 1770's; they aligned with other tribes, who were fighting the ceding of land. There is some information, that there were groups who settled in AR. I would research that line of thought, for those looking for history that is settled in AR. Previously I talked about a Massacre of Women and Children, who were Chicamaugan. I misquoted the date...it was 1805....not 1817. There is an account online. If you search on Massacre of Women and Children in 1805. In order to understand the removal....we first have to understand all that came before it....from the time when the first eastern europeans traveled to the US. The initial folks that came were very different than those who came later looking to take land, gold, etc. Not all who came were inhospitable to the natives. In fact, if you study the true history of Jamestown...you will see without the friendship that was extended by the native people their colony would not have survived.....as it was. Also.....I have read some accounts of the indentured folks, the free african americans, and the native americans who may have been enslaved (this was often done by tribes warring against each other) on the Atlantic seaboard that could have been the precusor to the "melungeons". Reading about their ethnicitiies....and how they came to be is very interesting. Unfortunately, the most important things are lost....as those who write history back then were caucasian and they didnt' value that information. But....that's something to research as well. As you can see, to truly understand all that was going on.....the truth of it.....you will have to take a course in "indian studies". But, I will also mention again that "Indian Country Today" is a valuable resource for current information...as well as traditions, etc. All from the mouth of those who know the history....the native people themselves. jes

Where is the Keetowah web site? ________________________________ From: indian-territory-roots-bounces@rootsweb.com on behalf of HealTheCircle@aol.com Sent: Sun 9/3/2006 7:37 AM To: indian-territory-roots@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [INDIAN-TERRITORY-ROOTS] Cox Family - Atoka City and Stringtown,Oklahoma AR....Litte Rock, University of AR, Sequoah Research Center (I believe), has extensive work on the various routes....as all of them went through their state. They also have an extensive digital library, that has articles in papers, written of the accounts of the boat loads of "natives" who took the water route. AR is also rich with native history from the time, previous to 1817, when Cherokee were allotted land over near what is now "Fort Smith". In fact, the Keetowah Band of Cherokee is working with a developer and the BIA to purchase (I believe) land that was originally allotted to them before they were moved to OK in 1817. They are planning to erect a casino, shopping mall, etc., For details on that....go to the Keetowah Band site....and read there info. My belief is also that when the Chickamaugan Cherokee, separated from the rest of the Cherokee, in the 1770's; they aligned with other tribes, who were fighting the ceding of land. There is some information, that there were groups who settled in AR. I would research that line of thought, for those looking for history that is settled in AR. Previously I talked about a Massacre of Women and Children, who were Chicamaugan. I misquoted the date...it was 1805....not 1817. There is an account online. If you search on Massacre of Women and Children in 1805. In order to understand the removal....we first have to understand all that came before it....from the time when the first eastern europeans traveled to the US. The initial folks that came were very different than those who came later looking to take land, gold, etc. Not all who came were inhospitable to the natives. In fact, if you study the true history of Jamestown...you will see without the friendship that was extended by the native people their colony would not have survived.....as it was. Also.....I have read some accounts of the indentured folks, the free african americans, and the native americans who may have been enslaved (this was often done by tribes warring against each other) on the Atlantic seaboard that could have been the precusor to the "melungeons". Reading about their ethnicitiies....and how they came to be is very interesting. Unfortunately, the most important things are lost....as those who write history back then were caucasian and they didnt' value that information. But....that's something to research as well. As you can see, to truly understand all that was going on.....the truth of it.....you will have to take a course in "indian studies". But, I will also mention again that "Indian Country Today" is a valuable resource for current information...as well as traditions, etc. All from the mouth of those who know the history....the native people themselves. jes ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INDIAN-TERRITORY-ROOTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message