Scenes of the Drama

Scenes of the Drama 

Scene 1 --  Selu, the Corn Mother and her husband Kanati, the Great Hunter, introduce the seven clans of the Cherokee. They tell about the arrival of Hernando DeSoto and the changes his visit brought to their people. The friendship dance is held.

Scene 2 --  Tecumseh, a mighty Shawnee, visits the Cherokee people and urges them to return to the old way of life and to fight against the advancement of white settlers. The Cherokee choose to try and live in peace but to no avail. The warriors prepare for battle with the War Dance.

Scene 3 --  With the help of the Cherokee’s, the United States defeats the Creek’s at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. During the battle, Andrew Jackson’s life is saved by a Cherokee leader, Junaluska. When the Cherokee warriors return home, the Bear Dance is held in celebration.

Scene 4 --  Due to the assistance given by the Cherokee at the battle, the government offers the Cherokee a deal with the Treaty of 1819, which Yonaguska, the Peace Chief, accepts as a way to remain in his homeland. He also adopts a young Anglo boy, Will Thomas. To mark the occasion, a hoe-down takes place involving the Cherokee and their white friends and neighbors.

Scene 5 --  Sequoyah, who labored for many years, creates a Cherokee syllabary as a way for his people to be able to read and write in their own language. Many people including his wife thought he was crazy. But they soon realized the great accomplishment Sequoyah had achieved.

Scene 6  --  The Cherokees learn that Andrew Jackson has been elected as President of the Untied States and that John Ross has been chosen as their Principal Chief. At the same time, gold was discovered in the North Georgia Mountains and white settlers demanded Cherokee lands.

Scene 7 --  Missionaries that have been living among the Cherokee, offer their support to the Cherokee. Although they have been threatened with war and removal, the Cherokee seek the comfort of a Cherokee song. Eventually Rev. Worcester is arrested by the Georgia militia.

Scene 8 --  Yonaguska, the Peace Chief, has a vision and tells his people to follow the way of the warrior and to never give up their lands. The United States Congress passes the Indian Removal Act and President Jackson, who the Cherokee thought was their friend, signs it.

Scene 9 --  Act 2 opens with the Traditional Eagle Dance and is followed by the Mighty Eagle Dance. Principal Chief John Ross travels to Washington to meet with the President. Removal begins and one family is faced with a dilemma after a scuffle breaks out and soldiers are killed. The head of this family is a Cherokee man called Tsali.

Scene 10  --  U.S soldiers arrive and begin the forced roundup of Cherokee people. The long journey to Indian territory in Oklahoma begins. More than four thousand people died from hunger, disease, relentless heat and freezing cold. Among them was Principal Chief John Ross’s beloved wife, Quatie. Reverend Bushyhead offers a prayer in the Cherokee language.

Scene 11  --  Tsali and his family have fled and are hiding in the mountains. They are being hunted by United States soldiers led by Colonel Foster. Foster has asked Yonaguska and Will Thomas for their help in convincing a few of the Cherokee to join in the hunt. It is a very difficult decision but the promise to release families that have been captured and the assurance that if Tsali will give his life, all the Cherokee’s hiding can forever remain in their homeland is made.

Scene 12  --  Believing that Colonel Foster will keep his word, Tsali makes the ultimate sacrifice and gives his life in exchange for the freedom of his people.

Scene 13  --  Junaluska, who went on the Trail of Tears, finds his way back to his homeland. Through the years the Cherokee people have survived and today are a Nation with over 13,000 people. The Horse Dance is performed in celebration of all the Creator has blessed the Cherokee people with.