Osiyo everyone. I am pleased to be a member of the group and hope to learn much. I am 1/4 Cherokee (grandmother-paternal) and have always wanted to learn more as her family felt it would get along better to abandon the ways of the people. I look much like her and encountered many kids as I grew up making fun of the indian girl and calling me names amoung other things as you can imagine. My grandmother always said I had a gift, a knowing and she wished she could have taught me more. My grandfather and father never liked being associated with indian heritage although grandpa loved my grandma. I am a nurse and wildlife rehab specialist. I raise and train horses. Many years ago I was nursing some indian children and the grandfather started calling me Slow Turtle Woman, then he explained about turtle being healer, patient and slow as I was not easily angered or hasty in decisions. I really want to learn more of the language, concentrating on the eastern band.

 

I have 1 grown son and we live on a farm in middle tennessee.