This study is an examination of the theatre project at Tsa La Gi, a Cherokee cultural center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The thesis is organized into three areas: the drama, the theatre design, and the production techniques. Chapter I reports the process of the formulation of Trail of Tears and analyzes its success. Chapter II describes and interprets the process of the design of the physical theatre. Chapter III reports the techniques used in play production at Tsa La Gi and interprets their effects. Chapter IV presents conclusions about the success of the theatre project. This report accepts evidence that the theatre project at Tsa La Gi is a highly successful one, both economically and artistically.

The following study examined leadership characteristics of a modern leader of the Cherokee Nation, Ross O. Swimmer, during his three elections as Principal Chief, 1975-1985. Few Western scholars paid attention to the Cherokee Tribe after the break-up of institutions legislated by the federal Indian policy of Allotment. The position of the government was, the Cherokee Tribe no longer existed. For almost seventy years, no form of Cherokee leadership was visible; no Cherokee government existed. Federal Indian policy changed again, allowing tribes to elect their own leaders. This study began filling in gaps of missing information on modern Cherokee leadership by examining Swimmer’s leadership characteristics. The study attempted to add to the body of leadership knowledge by mining minds and memories, searching for the meaning of leadership from a modern Cherokee perspective. The three questions guiding the study were: what were the leadership characteristics of Principal Chief Ross O. Swimmer; to what extent did these leadership characteristics reflect traditional Cherokee leadership characteristics; and from a tribal perspective, did these make a difference, and to what extent? The data indicate seven Swimmer leadership characteristics: Visionary, Goal Oriented, Bureaucratic, Top-Down, Authoritarian, Delegator, and Communicator. There was inconsistency with Swimmer’s use of traditional leadership practices. Swimmer used a combination of traditional Cherokee, traditional Native American, and Anglo-European-American leadership characteristics during his three terms as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Two possible explanations for Swimmer’s blending leadership characteristics from varying models were suggested. First, given his bi-cultural heritage, Swimmer could navigate back and forth between the mainstream White culture and the traditional Cherokee culture, to pick and choose various types of leadership characteristics. Second, adaptability has always been a unique characteristic of the Cherokee people. Cherokee leaders frequently applied the feature of borrowing from White culture in order to adapt and survive. Swimmer accomplished many of his goals for the Cherokee people and set the Nation on a path of growth and stability. His methods were not without criticism from traditional Cherokees. However, Swimmer built the foundation for a corporate government that instilled pride in the Cherokee people and provided opportunity for self-sufficiency. / text

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Charles G. Steffen, committee chair; Mohammed Hassen Ali, Wayne J. Urban, committee members. Electronic text (322 p.) : digital, PDF file. Title from file title page. Description based on contents viewed Dec. 5, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 284-318).

Many scholars have recognized the communicative and emotive power of singing as a ritual performance, and some have argued that hymn singing has played a significant role as a medium of cultural and religious communication and exchange. To better understand how and why singing might facilitate such exchange, this essay explores as a case study, the role of hymn singing in the cultural contact between the Cherokees and the missionaries at Brainerd, near Chattanooga, TN. By examining accounts of ritual singing recorded by both missionaries and Cherokees, the project illuminates how these communities, respectively, may have understood the role of singing in ritual practice. From these different perceptions of ritual singing, one can better understand how the Cherokees may have experienced resonances with the missionaries’ practices, which would encourage cultural assimilation and exchange. In turn, this study contributes to a larger conversation about music and religious expression.

No description available.

This thesis is a content analysis of the first phase of Cherokee Phoenix, the first American Indian newspaper started during a time of turmoil--the era of Removal. The Cherokee Phoenix began publication in New Echota, Cherokee Nation on February 21, 1828 with Elias Boudinot as the first editor. Its last publication in this location was on May 31, 1834. The paper was re-enlivened later as the Cherokee Advocate and again as the Cherokee Phoenix. This paper was meant to be printed weekly (on Thursdays), but this did not always happen. A content analysis looking for themes of `assimilation,' endurance, `survivance,' resiliency, struggle, adaptation, and `peoplehood' was undertaken. The goal was to `re-write' the history that already exists about the Cherokee Phoenix and Cherokee people, by proposing and providing evidential support for a more complex and messy explanation as to why the Cherokee Phoenix started and continued to be published.

Thesis (M.A.) History--University of Central Oklahoma, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-136).

Thesis (M.A.)--East Tennessee State University, 2003. / Originally issued electronically at http://etd-submit.etsu.edu/etd/theses/available/etd-0607103-161102/unrestricted/mcmillionA071503a.pdf . Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-111).

Thesis (M.S.)--East Tennessee State University, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-36). Also available via Internet. Adobe Acrobat .pdf file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader software.