Tri-Council of the Cherokee discuss cultural preservation, unity in historic meeting at Red Clay

Cherokee demonstrate a "Horse dance" at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park. Cherokee demonstrate a "Horse dance" at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

By Ben Benton August 30, 2015 5 min read

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Tri-Council of the Cherokee discuss cultural preservation, unity in historic meeting at Red Clay

People watch as Cherokee demonstrate a "Horse dance" at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Thomas Sequoyah wades in a blue hole pond at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

A mask is on display with other cultural artifacts at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Tennessee State Park Ranger Mathew Vawter talks about a Cherokee cultural artifact at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Gracie Vineyard holds a red tailed hawk at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Stan Tooni watches as his wife Dianne sells a dreamcatcher at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Shirley Oswalt writes "Bennett" on a drum in the Cherokee language for a customer at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Historican re-enactor Nuna Ross, center, talks with Erica Hoff, right, and Phaizon Osborne inside a replica cabin at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Tennessee State Park Ranger and historical re-enactor Luke Mason rolls up his sleeves in a replica cabin at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Flint necklaces are displayed for sale on a blanket at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Cherokee educator Diamond answers questions about cultural artifacts at the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cleveland, Tenn. The festival marks the first time since 1838 that the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes have met at the park.

Chief Bill John Baker, center, watches as a vote is taken during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Candice Byrd sings "Orphan Child" at the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

People gather to listen during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

People fill the yard around the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

A hawk feather lies on the table during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Myrtle Driver, right, reads during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

People look at jewelry during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Bill Taylor, left, introduces Miss Cherokee, Taylor Wilnoty, to council members at the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

United Keetoowah Band Chief George Wickliffe, second from right, participates in the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

New Kituwah Academy students sing the Cherokee Anthem at the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Chairwoman Terri Henry with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, speaks during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Beloved Man Jerry Wolfe, right, speaks during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

United Keetoowah Band Chief George Wickliffe speaks during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Joe Byrd, speaker of the Council, District 2, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, listens during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Beloved Man Jerry Wolfe, right, hugs Little Miss Cherokee, Jenna Cruz, during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Chief Bill John Baker hands out a keepsake to council members during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Alva Crowe speaks during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Alva Crowe, left, hands out hawk feathers to council members during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Tunney Crowe's shirt features his name, Crowe, on the back as he listens during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park.

Prarie Iwodi Toineeta, right, and Joryn Taliquo Walker read a copy of Charlotte's Web during the Cherokee Tri-Council meeting Friday, August 28, 2015 Red Clay State Historic Park. The book is being translated into the Cherokee language.

RED CLAY, Tenn. – A breeze stirred the three tribal flags of the Cherokee people who converged at the site of the original Council House here.

The flags represent the first time all three tribes have met at Red Clay since Chief John Ross announced passage of the Indian Removal Act and the tragic change in destiny for the Cherokee who remained in their homeland.

“It was emotional,” Brandon Jones, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal councilman, said as he strode from the flag ceremony to the original Council House site, just a few steps from the Cherokee Blue Hole spring on sacred ground.

About 200 people attended the flag-raising ceremony and a Tri-Council meeting of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes. Resolutions were discussed and debated, songs were sung by Cherokee children and many Cherokee who had never met joined together to celebrate as one family.

“I came here as a child, but I didn’t really understand what this place means,” Jones said, his voice breaking as he led his children through the grass. “Now my kids and family come here, and I teach them the legacy and show them what’s going on. It has so much meaning now for all of us.”