Post 10 - Keetoowah

Learning about the United Keetoowah Band was helpful because it proved how there’s always a yin and a yang side of everything in life: politics, ceremonies, war, personalities, behavior, etc. In other ways it was very uncomfortable. The Keetoowah/Cherokee Nation separation was felt a lot more strongly being at the UKB than being with the Cherokee Nation. Chief Smith seemed more calm, positive, and confident about his side of the story than Chief Wickliffe who seemed defensive, negative, but also very confident. This confidence is what keeps both sides advocating for their side of the story. It almost feels like a competition not a harmonious relationship. My philosophy for this is if you can’t beat them, join em’. There is a reason why our program was named Study Abroad in the Cherokee Nation and not Study Abroad with the UKB in the Cherokee Nation. There’s a reason why the Cherokee Nation has identified themselves after the name of their territory. It makes things a whole lot easier and more homogeneous.

I understand how the UKB was in Oklahoma before forced removal, by ten years, but that doesn’t mean that the two can’t adapt and get along – they’re from the same place, with the same cultural background. The divisive split between chiefs continues today. Yes, the UKB represents the people and does great things like their elder center and daycare, but so does the Cherokee Nation. However, there was just a different feeling walking around the UKB’s property. I really felt how less-populated it was and how different their attitude and thought processes have manifested.

Here are a couple of things that were said to us by Chief Wickliffe that were perplexing and limiting to them as a community…

“We don’t believe in the creation story started with the buzzard.”

“We were the first people before the Cherokee Nation. Ten years earlier we welcomed them as immigrants.”

“We are the full-bloods, the higher-blooded group.”

“We got the truth behind us. We don’t make up our history like some people. Those people down the road have sections of history. We tell you like it is. We got the people. We got their prayers.”

“The elders did not tell stories, they told the truth. I don’t even like the word ‘story’.”

“Theirs is a selected version of history – don’t be fooled.”

“They’re the group made up by the government and appointed a president. We wasn’t. We are a group of the people.”

“We’re recognized under OIWA. The only one, and do we have land – no! because we don’t have money. We had clergy.”

“They have oil, we have people.”

There is always two sides to an argument and its sad how heartfelt the situation has become to both sides. It was a good experience to have witnessed both sides, especially from both chiefs. It was a rare opportunity that most people never get. I hope that some day the situation will be mended because right now there are just a lot of deep, open wounds that need healing.