The United Cherokee People- Tribal Leaders

O'siyo and Tsilugi,

Cherokee Elders

       An elder is looked up to by the tribal members. It is because they know he always puts the good of the tribe (community) first, always above the needs or desires of any one individual, including himself. He lives in such a way, that his very life teaches us to love one another, to have compassion for each other----never to plant evil seeds that would intentionally hurt another.

       He measures by, what is for the good of all. Therefore, we can tell if one called an elder, is truly an elder, by what he teaches, by how he lives. (However, he is more like a loving grandparent than a pious saint.)

       An elder has learned, and lives, the traditional ways of the ancestors, especially those ways where he walks in harmony with the Creator and of all of creation. He treats all others equally, with respect.

       He is a honorable person. He teaches members of his tribe how to think, more so than what to think----to think in terms of what is good for the tribe (community.)

       He watches the direction taken by the leaders of his tribe, and tries to help guide them in a path of harmony, for the good of all. He tries to promote harmony within the tribe, and expose, and try to help heal, those who try to create disharmony.

       The governmental structure of the Cherokee people can be liken to the U.S. government. (This is the way it could be for the harmony and good of the tribe, not necessarily the way it is today.) The Chief can be equated to the president, (a caretaker, not a ruler), the Executive Branch of government, who takes care of day to day operation of the government. The Council can be likened to Congress, which makes the rules for running the government. The ELDER Board can be likened to the Supreme Court, who is the resource of last appeal.

       The elders do not run the tribe. They are only called upon for guidance when the Chief and Council are unable to resolve some issue. Then the Elder Board may be sought for guidance on the traditional Cherokee way. They do not make a new law, only interpret the ancient ones. Out of respect for the elders, the Chief and Council then try to resolve the problem according to the traditional Cherokee way, as explained by the elders.

       The elder watches that the young children of the tribe are taught the ways of the ancestors. He advises and guides tribal members in the ways that will mean survival for his people. He teaches a way of living that will help the community be a strong unit, where everyone wants to help each other, that all may be taken care of----emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

       He supports Cherokee ceremonies, because he understands that they offer opportunities for community worship, socialization, and bonding. He teaches that positive attitudes are far more important than rituals.

       We know an elder is truly and elder, when he lives and teaches wisely, in harmony with the Creator and all of creation, The most important characteristic of an elder is that he puts the need of the people (for the good of all) ahead of his own.

        May we walk in the wisdom of the ancestors.
----Grandfather Red Hat, Keetoowah Cherokee

Nathan Jesse-Blue (Blue Deer Eagle) Forrest

Sagonige Awi Uwohili

Appalachian Cherokee Peacemaker

Cherokee Nemenhah Medicine Man

Carrier of the Sacred Healing Pipe and Flute

Sacred Shahaptian Healing Way

taught and trained by

Chief Cloudpiler, (grandson of Nez Perce chief, Chief Joseph)

Medicine Chief of the Nemenhah Band

Roadrunner, Medicine man and Spiritual Leader

and by

Dhyani Ywahoo, Etowah Band of the Tsalagi (Cherokee) Nation

Medicine Chief of the Green Mountain Band of Aniyunwiwa (Tsalagi)

27th generation of the Ywahoo lineage of the Peacemaker Training

Odali Utugi - is the home fire of the Tsalagi (Cherokee) Sunray Peace Village

Sagonige Awi Uwohili (Blue Deer Eagle) is also a minister of the

Oklevueha Native American Church of Sanpete (NAC)

    Blue Deer Eagle's great-grandmother was Nancy Blue Fawn Ywahoo, full-blood Keetoowah Cherokee Medicine Woman, Clan Chief Mother of the Longhair Clan of the Keetoowah Cherokee Nation.

   His grandmother, from his mother's side was half Cherokee and Scot. His grandfather was half Cherokee and Irish Traveller (Gypsy). His Father was Scot-Irish and Cherokee descent.

   Nathan Jesse-Blue (Blue Deer Eagle) Forrest is Scot-Irish, Scot, Irish Traveller (Gypsy), and Cherokee desent. An Appalachain Celtic-Traveller (Gypsy) Cherokee Peacemaker Nemenhah Medicine Man.

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