LOCALS EXPERIENCE HISTORY WITH VISITS TO A LIVING INDIAN VILLAGE

Individuals of Cherokee descent are sharing their culture at a living Indian village this weekend and next.

The Intertribal Living Indian Village portrays housing, dress and lifestyles of tribes located in Southeast Missouri from the 1750s to 1850s.

Today, the village at Old Greenville campground on Lake Wappapello is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On June 13 and 14, the village will be at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau.

"This is the first Native American encampment since the early 1800s in Missouri, at least in this area of Missouri," said Linda Nash, who lives in Jackson.

Eight to 10 lodges, which are family groups, are scheduled to participate.

"We're hoping some people from other tribes might join us," she said. "This is our first time, so we're not quite sure what to expect."

Tribal members will be doing traditional crafts, including bead work, hide tanning and arrow making.

"I will be making cradle boards," Nash said. In addition, storytelling and games for children will be offered.

"This is not a reenactment," Nash explained. "We are gathering to commemorate the ways of their ancestors."

Visitors are welcome to walk through the encampment and talk with those participating.

"We're especially interested in talking with people who know they are of Cherokee descent," Nash said.

The Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory is a state recognized tribe based in Missouri and Arkansas.

Ancestors of today's tribal members first arrived in the region in 1721. Additional Cherokee moved into the area during the next hundred years, some dropping off the Trail of Tears as it passed through the area. Others returned to the area after traveling to Oklahoma.

Until 1835, the United States government recognized the tribe by maintaining agents to the Cherokee in Missouri. Today's tribe is seeking federal recognition, Nash said.

For a limited time before records are submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the rolls have been re-opened and potential members may submit applications. A $30 enrollment fee will be charged. Applications and additional information is available at the Southeast District office (573) 334-4485.