To the Editor:
My mother is a resident of the Tsali Care Center, where she receives excellent care. A few weeks ago, I was visiting with her and reading to her the complimentary issue of the Cherokee One Feather that is provided weekly. It was in the One Feather that I first learned about the Proposed Fee Changes for the GSMNP for 2023, including the implementation of Parking Fees. The article then continued on to say that Principal Chief Richard Sneed had secured parking passes at no charge to the individual for EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) citizens, contingent upon the park parking fees being implemented. Let me say that I was truly glad to read that. That is an appropriate and good decision for the Park, and I am glad that the Chief was able to facilitate the promise of the parking passes.
I then researched more about the proposed fees. I was hoping to find that there would be exemptions for local residents and if not for local residents, at least for other people who were direct descendants of people who were removed from their land so that the park could be created. What I discovered was that there were no provisions for this and when I attended the online virtual meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2022, it was evident from Superintendent Cash’s answers to questions that were submitted, that no waivers on parking passes were planned other than the ones that will be given to Tribal Members if the proposed fees pass.
I am a direct descendant of people who were forced to leave their land when the park was created. My dad was Paul Styles and he was born and raised on Indian Creek in the Deep Creek area of the park. His people went to court to try to keep their land, but were unsuccessful. At the time they were forced off their land, between my great-grandmother Docia Styles, my great, great grandmother Rebecca Queen and my great grandfather Ed Cline, over 132 acres of land (including pastures and cleared farmland) along with homes, barns, and various farm structures were taken by eminent domain. The land where the ancestral cemeteries are located was also taken.
As tribal members, I know you all more than any others can certainly relate to how discouraging all this is for me and others in my situation. On a practical level, what this means for me is if I want to take my grandchildren up Indian Creek to see where their great grandfather hoed corn, or where their great-great-great grandmother’s cabin was, or where their ancestors are buried, I am going to have to pay to park. One possible scenario that might happen to an EBCI member reading this letter would be if you wanted to have an event like a birthday party, a picnic for your family and friends, or a wedding reception within the park boundary (like at the Collins Creek shelter), your guests and friends that are not enrolled members would have to pay to park.
What IS encouraging however, is how many tribal members I have seen comment on social media to express that the parking passes should be given to any local person. That is amazing support. What connects us all in Swain County as long-time residents no matter whether we are talking about Native Americans, White, or Black people is the History of Removal. Whether it is the Trail of Tears (an atrocity that is beyond compare), the land taken for the park, or the land taken by TVA, the people of Swain County share a history of being forced off their land by the government. I am so grateful for tribal members who have voiced their support of non- enrolled residents of Swain County to have access to parking passes. This proves that the relationships of the different groups of Swain County Residents as friends and neighbors is stronger than the unjust proposals of the Park officials and that members of the tribe want to help to overcome this inequitable overreach.
I would like to ask the members of the Eastern Band who believe that all direct descendants of people who were forced off their land to create the park or any resident of Swain County or any resident of the surrounding counties should have access to free parking passes to go online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=382&projectID=105006 and click on the Open for Comments link on the left hand side. This will open a form that has five questions, but at the bottom there is a box where you can type any other comments. I think it would send a powerful message of unity if EBCI members would state that although as an Enrolled Member they appreciate the promise of the free parking passes, that they want the same for their friends and neighbors.
Finally, please know that even though I have been angry and discouraged over this, I cannot begin imagine the anger, grief and discouragement that the Cherokee have over the Trail of Tears Removal. I would like to encourage you with the truth of the Bible-those of us that know Christ can take comfort in the fact that this is not our forever home and through the finished work of Christ, we have a glorious home where no fees are and ever will be required and where we will never have to fear being removed from that glorious place by any earthly authority. If you do not have that hope, the Bible says to “take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. If you would like to know more about what that means, it would my privilege to share with you.
Sincerely,
Sandra Styles English
Bryson City, NC
Editor’s Note: Mrs. English included her personal contact information in the commentary. We are choosing not to publish that information. If you would like to contact her, you many send your inquiry to the Cherokee One Feather along with your contact information and we will provide it to Mrs. English.
