Books that Ring In Imagination

When you have worked hard at health, your job or if you just want a break, getting away is good for you.  Start checking out other cultures and places. It's time to get out there!

Part of good health is having goals and dreaming.  It gives us hope.  God gave us plenty of pretty places to enjoy.  Now that you have worked hard on being healthy enough to do it.  Let’s get out there! 

Whether you staycation (within a 100 miles of home) or vacation let’s explore. 

By Lisa M Bell

On the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp sits the Tribal Grounds of the Cherokee of Georgia. Where the tribe hosts a Pow Wow or a celebration in the spring and fall.

There is dancing in colorful outfits call Regalia, crafts people selling their crafts, food and a whole bunch of fun!

I first met Jane and Tim Winkler at the Camden County Library when they gave a short presentation about the Cherokee and then had the children play the drums

and dance.

Jane is a wealth of knowledge about Native American History. She was even able to tell me why, on my DNA test, no Native American DNA was detected but I might still be

part Native American due to the appearance of the word “Other,” on my results. Jane invited me to the Tribe’s public monthly meeting, and I thought I would check it out.

I went through some quaint country roads in both Florida and Georgia. Finally, I crossed over a skinny part of the St. Marys River and there I was in St. George,

Georgia. I turned down a dirt road and passed a building and passed some lush green trees that shrouded the seven-sided Council House. I saw some campers, and more buildings and then there was the group chatting. One of

whom was named “Beaver” he came up to my car and growled at me. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think but then I realized he was just having fun.

The rest of the group was just as much fun. Some spoke of doing crafts for the upcoming Pow Wow and others talked about the dancing. I learned the Pow Wow’s are

a big part of the Cherokee of Georgia’s funding.

The Center Poles for the Seven-Sided Council House came all the way from North Carolina (their main tribal area). The building is used for ceremonies, so don’t just walk

in, get permission first! The seven sides of the building represent the seven clans of the Cherokee: Bird, Paint, Blue, Wolf, Deer, Wild Potato and Long Hair. 

The symbols are carved into the wood. There is also a flame that came from the main tribe in North

Carolina and brought all the way down to GA to light the fire. Jane told me if it ever went out, they would have to go back to NC to get another flame from that tribal fire.

With the dancing, the museum, food and culture the Pow Wow are fun and educational. I do hope you will go..

Admission and parking are free.

In the meantime, you can check out some articles that will tell you:

How and why did the Cherokee come so far south?

Why St. George?

What is the Camden connection?

What is the treaty of Coleraine?

Here are some of the sources I used, check them out to answer the questions.

https://readtheplaque.com/plaque/treaty-of-coleraine#gsc.tab=0

https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/54090

https://www.georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/treaty-of-coleraine/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Colerain

https://sgamag.com/

Here is the URL for Robert Latimer Hurst’s article http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm. 

I have a copy and will send to you if you email  Lisa@LisaMBell.com and ask for it.

Hands and Voices has many resources.

Sign Spaces will post the signs as you browse the web.

Oklahoma School for the Deaf Classes

Handspeak has signs to learn and a place to practice your ASL reception.

LIfeprint has an introduction to fingerspelling and numbers.

Lifeprint also has free classes.

Signschool will send a sign of the day to your email.

Gallaudet University

Colleges for the deaf.

Deaf Websites