I wanted to write to you regarding your recent article referring to the six “fake Cherokee Tribes”. While I cannot speak for any of the tribes officially, I’ll say that I am a proud citizen of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama and that is why I am writing to you as merely a tribal citizen.

In November 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Shawnee Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe proposed two amendment changes for NCAI’s membership eligibility requirements, which would restrict voting and individual membership to federally recognized tribes.

As the current government moves closer to a tribal information portal, these are thoughts that every community member needs to consider.

”Thou, therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 2:1-3

There may be people I’m speaking with today who, at some point in their lives, joined the military and went through what most services call “Boot Camp.” I’m a veteran, and I went through boot camp. I can tell you it changed my life.

We have seen many studies on how people learn. Some learn by listening. Others by seeing. Others by doing.

And what is that, exactly? What do we deserve? Does anyone owe us anything? This nation? This county? Does your mom or your dad owe you anything? Does your brother or your sister? How about your kids?