Cherokee Phoenix Essay - 1581 Words

Cherokee Phoenix In the early nineteenth century during the presidency of Andrew Jackson and the debate of the Indian Removal Bill came one of the most important accomplishments of the Cherokee Nation, their own newspaper written in their own language. This experiment in Indian journalism began on February 21, 1828 in the Cherokee capital of New Echota. The paper employed a minimum staff of three to four people throughout its duration, often dismissing and rehiring printers. However, the most noteworthy of these were the people who first employed by the paper: journeyman printer John F. Wheeler, printer Isaac Harris, and editor Elias Boudinot. These men helped to further Cherokee nationalism by using a simple syllabery script,†¦show more content†¦Such a paper, comprising a summary of religious and political events, Etc. on the one hand; and on the other, exhibiting the feelings, disposition, improvements, and prospects of the Indian; their traditions, their true charac ter, as it once was and as it now is; the ways and means most likely to throw the mantle of civilization over all tribes; and such other matter as will tend to diffuse proper and correct impressions in regard to their condition-such a paper could not fail to create much interest in the American community, favorable to the aborigines, and to have a powerful influence, on the advancement of the Indians themselves. The Cherokee Phoenix was the first of many Indian newspapers, and, through its columns as Boudinot intended, gave a voice to the political struggles, religious conversion, and cultural advancement to the newly formed Cherokee Nation. In the first publication of the Cherokee Phoenix the constitution of the Cherokee Nation was printed to inform all the Indians of their rights and guaranteed general welfare. This issue not only informed the white population of this new republic, but also the Cherokees themselves. The Phoenix told about district elections, named candidates, and featured editorials by Boudinot commenting on the progress of their new government. The Indian readers of this newspaper began to identify themselves as a group with a commonShow MoreRelatedEssay on Southeastern Native American Literature1215 Words   |  5 PagesStates is deeply rooted in the oral traditions of the various tribes that have historically called that region home. 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