Welcome ᎤᎵᎮᎵᏍᏗ
About Us
The Kentucky Southern Cherokee have a long history with the State of Kentucky. There are currently three bands within the State of Kentucky that members trace back to the Scuffletown settlement in Henderson County. Are we new age frauds or a displaced Tribe of Cherokee? The Kentucky Southern Cherokee are certainly not new age frauds. The three groups of Southern Cherokee have been in Kentucky well over a hundred and twenty five years. The evidence for this statement stems from a letter from Kentucky Governor John Young Brown dated December 26, 1893 wherein he states that Kentucky recognizes the Southern Cherokee as an Indian Tribe. Finally, there is an independent Pardon document that was signed by Governor John Y Brown and two other cabinet members in 1891 that helps further strengthen the authenticity of the 1893 letter by way of a signature comparison sample.
Evidence
Commonwealth of Kentucky Executive Department, John Young Brown Governor, Frankfort, Kentucky. December 26, 1893.
“Frankfort Dec. 26th, 1893. 189__” (Letterhead of Commonwealth of Kentucky Executive Department, John Young Brown, Governor with Old Style State Seal, Typed and signed).
“Dear Mr. Martin,
In regards to your letter, the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Wishes to welcome the Southern Cherokee Nation to our fair state. We regonize (sic) the Southern Cherokee Nation, as an Indian Tribe. If there is anyway we can help you let us know. We wish you good luck in everything you try to do. (Handwritten)Yours Truly, (Signed)John Young Brown”
Our Seal
The Kentucky Southern Cherokee Seal has syllabary that reads Osda Nuwati at the top (Good Medicine Or literally translates to Good, It Heals). ᎣᏍᏓᏄᏩᏘ or Osda Nuwati (pronounced oh-stah new-wa-tea) is how its said in Tsalagi. The Seal is a blue circle rimmed in gold which signifies the heavens and the sun. Without which we couldn’t exist. Inside a light blue field is a seven point star which represents the seven clans with a sacred fire in its center because the sacred fire binds us together. There are two oak wreaths to show our strength and two stars in the blue field to honor the two other bands of our tribal family.
Will the KSC Become a Federally Acknowledged Tribe?
All hopes of that were presumably dashed when our former leadership withdrew our 234 page petition for federal acknowledgment filed with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Federal Acknowledgement against the wishes of those represented. That document very clearly documented our people back to the 1866 Fort Smith Treaty. Efforts will continue to be made toward formalized Kentucky acknowledgement. We do not seek acknowledgement for monetary gain, casinos or to compete with our CNO/EBCI/UKB brothers and sisters, we only ask for legal protections to conduct our sacred ceremonies without fear of prosecution.