Governing New Echota

A Virtual Exploration of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia

Georgia Indian Territory Map (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

When the United States Constitution was ratified in 1788, Georgia had only 10 counties. Eight were originally created as parishes under colonial rule. Franklin and Washington counties were later created from land ceded by the Creeks and Cherokees.

Today, there are no federally recognized Native American tribes in Georgia. However, some residing tribes are recognized by the state.

Cherokee Nation Map (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

This map details the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation and some of its key developments from 1820 to 1868.

New Echota Map (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Map of New Echota

Cherokee Constitution (1875)Georgia Public Broadcasting

In 1827, the Cherokee Nation adopted a constitution largely modeled after that of the United States. It laid out a separation of judicial, executive, and legislative powers and was both commended and criticized.

As the Cherokee Nation continued to adopt American practices, many whites judged them to be progressing and civilizing. However, many Cherokees considered the new structure of government to be a significant and unwelcome break with their traditions.

New Echota VIRTUAL REALITY: Outside the Council HouseGeorgia Public Broadcasting

New Echota Council House (2019) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

The Council House in New Echota served as the meeting place for government officials who generally convened in October for annual legislative meetings.

The Cherokee Nation's executive branch also met in these rooms.

Cherokee Legislative Chambers (2019) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

All bills passed by the Cherokee council were sent to the principal chief for signature. Like the executive branch of the United States government, the chief could either veto a bill or sign it into law.

John Ross served as the first principal chief, Major George Lowery served as the deputy chief, and Major Ridge acted as the speaker of the house, presiding over a forty-member legislature.

New Echota VIRTUAL REALITY: Inside the Council HouseGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Major Ridge Portrait (1838) by Charles Bird KingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Cherokee leader Major Ridge was born around 1771 in Tennessee and was called Kah-nung-da-tla-geh or "the man who walks on the mountaintop." After fighting with Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812, he was awarded the title of major.

Together with John Ross, he helped establish the Cherokee Nation government in 1827. As a Cherokee leader, Ridge was challenged by settlers encroaching on Cherokee territory while the United States government called for all Native Americans to be removed from their land.

Controversially, Major Ridge was one of the signers of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835 that relinquished Cherokee land in Georgia for land in what is now Oklahoma.

John Ross PortraitGeorgia Public Broadcasting

John Ross

John Ross was born Koo-wi-s-gu-wi (meaning Mysterious Little White Bird) in Alabama in 1790. He grew up in a mixed-race family where he learned to practice traditional Cherokee customs, speak English, and help operate the family store. After earning significant profits from selling goods to the United States government, Ross was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1827. He staunchly opposed the signing of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835 but continued to lead and advocate for his people through their subsequent forced removal on the Trail of Tears.

George Lowrey Portrait by George CatlinGeorgia Public Broadcasting

George Lowrey, or Agi-Li, was born around 1770 to a Scottish mother and a Cherokee father.

Lowrey was a descendant of Cherokee chiefs. He fought with Andrew Jackson in the Creek War from 1813 to 1814, served as delegate for the Cherokee Nation in its negotiations with the federal government in 1792 and 1823, and helped draft the Cherokee Constitution in 1827.

As deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation, he supported Chief John Ross in rejecting the encroachment of white settlers and refusing to accept the Indian Removal Act.

The Legislative and Executive Branches of the Cherokee Nation (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

The Judicial Branch of the Cherokee Nation (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Outside the Cherokee Nation's Supreme Courthouse | New Echota VIRTUAL REALITYGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Cherokee Supreme Court Bench (2019) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting

The 1827 Cherokee Constitution created a judicial branch with eight lower courts and a Supreme Court that was headquartered in New Echota.

More than 250 cases, mostly civil in nature, were heard at the New Echota courthouse. Most were simple disputes over property and inheritance rights.

New Echota VIRTUAL REALITY: Inside the CourthouseGeorgia Public Broadcasting

Credits: Story

Chief John Ross House Association

Chieftains Museum - Major John Ridge Home

"Today in Georgia History." Georgia Historical Society

New Echota Historic Site

Robert J. Conley. A Cherokee Encyclopedia. University of New Mexico Press, 2007.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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