The Treaty of New Echota

The Treaty of New Echota between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation, was ratified by the Senate and signed by President Jackson.  It was a terrible treaty forced upon the Cherokees.  It led to the “Trail of Tears,” ordering 16,000 Cherokees to walk to Oklahoma in winter, resulting in the deaths of approximately 4000 Indians, many of them children and the elderly.

One of the provisions of the treaty declared that the Cherokees would be “entitled to a delegate in the House of Representatives of the United States whenever Congress shall make provision for the same.”  Now the House Rules Committee is examining whether the U.S. should honor that provision.  

The delegate, if approved, would be Kim Teehee, a Cherokee Nation official.  Given the history of treaties between the U.S. and Indian nations, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Note:  I’m taking a Thanksgiving break from blogging.  I’ll be watching some football and eating too much.  See you Sunday.