Cherokee Nation- Proceed Undaunted

November 25, 2024•4 min read

Cherokee Nation- Proceed Undaunted-

A legal commentary on the Cherokee Nation’s constitutional history,

violations, corruption, and moments of hope for the Cherokee people

—a case study for nation building.

by Chad Smith

We look around and feel that often bitter division in our country and in the entire world. We witness pain, suffering, misery, and cruelty countenanced by governments including our own. How do we cope? What are we leaving for our children and grandchildren? Are we repeating the mistakes of the past?

Cherokee Nation- Proceed Undaunted, a case study for nation building, addresses the question of why, regardless of our citizenship, we must know our history and be fully engaged with our government. Proceed Undaunted is a legal commentary on Cherokee Nation’s constitutional history, violations, corruption, and moments of hope for the Cherokee people. It tells the story of the development of the Cherokee Nation Constitution, how it guided the survival of the Cherokee Nation during horrific circumstances, and how its violation jeopardizes its legal existence. But the lessons shared in Proceed Undaunted apply to all of us and all governments.

My name is Chadwick Corntassel Smith. I am an attorney, served as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1999-2011) and am interested in organization development, Cherokee history and governance. During my tenure as Principal Chief I studied our history and sought to continue a great Cherokee legacy to face adversity, survive, adapt, prosper and excel with a one-hundred-year plan. I began this book in 2022 to share with Cherokee people the issues created by not faithfully adhering to the constitution and the basis of resulting litigation. Proceed Undaunted begins with a historical review of the Cherokee Nation Constitutions to put in context the contemporary issues.

Since time immemorial Cherokees have been governed themselves driven by fundamental values. The Cherokee Nation has had leaders who have stayed true to the vision of our ancestors, and others who have let power and greed lead to corruption.

Proceed Undaunted shares the importance of leaders adhering to the Cherokee Nation Constitutions, first adopted in 1827, the origins of Cherokee fundamental principles that have driven Cherokee people toward a “designed purpose”, inspirational stories of Cherokees who were firekeepers and patriots, and unfortunately episodes of officials who placed themselves above the people they were supposed to serve.

From the Conclusion of the Proceed Undaunted:

There is a fear echoing down through the last two centuries that in not-so-distant future, grandparents and parents will draw their children close to their family and community fires and begin their stories with this simple refrain, “There Once was a Great Cherokee Nation but it is no more.” After reading page after page and chapter after chapter of this book, becoming more aware of the brutal challenges and the betrayals over centuries of the Cherokee people, both from outside and within the Cherokee Nation, we must ask the fatalistic question, “What is the point?”

Perhaps, the answer is where we started the narrative in this book.

Recounting Redbird Smith’s admonition from over a century ago, he gives us direction, “I have always believed that the Great Creator has a great design for my people, the Cherokees. I have been taught that from my childhood up and now in my mature manhood I recognize it as a great truth. Our forces have been dissipated by the external forces, perhaps it has been just a training, but we must now get together as race and render our contribution to mankind.”

To answer, “What is the point?” perhaps we have to answer, what is this “designed purpose” and “contribution to mankind”? The fundamental Cherokee principles found in the wampum belts say we should stay on the white path, a course of purity, rightness and cleanliness, striving for harmony and peace on our journey to touch the hand of God not only thinking of ourselves but to help people from all directions to stay from the dark shoulders of misery.

So, “What is the point?” The point is that adherence to the fundamental principles found in the wampum belts, the historic Cherokee legacy, and the Constitution which express ancestral pride, identity, and community-centered cultural values encourages us to serve mankind, guides us to be happy and healthy, ensures that the Cherokee Nation will survive and prosper, and affirms we have a designed purpose. The Cherokee Nation is not just a government; it is a family of families; it is a community of communities; it is an identity that connects us with ancestors from time immemorial to descendants beyond imagination; it is our bond with elohi (earth).

When I began this book, I was pessimistic about the future of the Cherokee Nation and the United States. Only after completing the last chapter, having had the opportunity to look over and study centuries of Cherokee governance, did the admonition I used so often as Principal Chief, “Proceed Undaunted”, become resonant like never before. So, I changed the title from “Once there was a Cherokee Nation” to “Cherokee Nation-Proceed Undaunted.”

The observations and lessons of this book apply not only to Indian nations but also to America and the world. A Cherokee designed purpose to contributing to mankind is one each of us should embrace. Officials offending our constitutions must be met with accountability and with our resolve to proceed undaunted.

Back to Blog