Official Website of the Sovereign SOUTHERN CHEROKEE Government

The Southern Cherokee is a Separate and Independent Government and is recognized as such in the Treaty with the Cherokee Indians, (see Articles 4, 8, and 19) signed by the United States Government and the Cherokee Nation, July 19, 1866, 14 Stats, 799. Ratified July 27, 1866.

The Cherokee Nation of today is not the same Cherokee as in the Treaty of 1866. On June 28, 1898, the U.S. Congress passed the Curtis Act, which included in the body of the legislation, allotment to the Five Civilized Tribes and ending them as sovereign nations by March 4, 1906. The act also abolished tribal courts and forbade enforcement of tribal laws in federal courts. The Act forced the tribes to begin enrolling members and to take up allotments by the 1906 deadline.

The Southern Cherokee Government was NOT abolished by the 1906 Curtis Act.

The Principal Chief of the Southern Cherokee is a Supreme Sovereign. All Powers of the Southern Cherokee Government is vested in the Office of the Principal Chief. The Principal Chief has the full authority to make, negotiate and sign any bilateral or multilateral international treaties, agreements, licenses, documents, contracts, and compacts.

The Southern Cherokee Government abides by the 1827 Constitution of the Cherokee.

The Southern Cherokee Government is PERMANENTLY NEUTRAL.