0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:01 > 0:00:04- North Carolina
0:00:06 > 0:00:11- These mountains were - Cherokee ancestral lands.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- In 1838, the entire nation - was forcibly removed...
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- ..to make room for the white man.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- We'd call it ethnic cleansing today.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- It's one of the darkest chapters - in American history.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Welshman Evan Jones - witnessed it all.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31- Subtitles
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- Evan Jones was a missionary.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- He spent most of his life - with the Cherokee.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- He was finally accepted - as a full member of the nation.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- I've researched his history - for years.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- In this series, I look at - this remarkable Welshman's life.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- I meet Cherokees - to learn more about their history.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- I reveal how the time Evan Jones - spent with them...
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- ..is so important - in Cherokee history.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37- There are more than 300,000 - officially registered as Cherokee.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43- Only 10,000 can speak - the native language.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- CHILDREN SING IN CHEROKEE
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- There is a new momentum...
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- ..to ensure the language - is passed on to the next generation.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- CHILDREN SING IN CHEROKEE
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- This is one of two - new Cherokee medium schools.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- The language is studied - in several universities.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- SPEAKS CHEROKEE
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- I have on five brown belts.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- I don't know - when you'd ever use that.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- You're not going to use that in - Walmart unless you're stealing them!
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- Tom Belt teaches Cherokee - in Western Carolina University.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- He gives an insight - to the language's history.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- They would wash - your mouth out with soap.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- The idea that you wash - your hands when they're dirty...
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- ..you wash somebody's mouth out - if they speak things that are dirty.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- Girls caught speaking Cherokee - would have their heads shaved.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- Boys caught speaking Cherokee - would be forced to wear a dress.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- They wanted to eradicate - the language.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- As Cherokees, we were taught - that our language...
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- ..was a gift from God.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- As a gift from God, it's something - we can't afford to lose.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26- Evan Jones came to us - to conduct a mission.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- He wanted to convert us - to Christianity.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- But when he lived - with the Cherokee...
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- ..he began to learn the language...
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- ..and through that, - started to think like a Cherokee.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45- The importance of Evan Jones's work - is evident to this day...
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- ..because - of the amount of material he left...
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- ..in a time - when we needed it the most.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- When Europeans first arrived - in North America...
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- ..at least 250 native languages...
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- ..were spoken - on this vast continent.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Terms like Indians, - or Red Indians...
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- ..suggests they were one people.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- In reality, - they were different nations...
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- ..speaking different languages...
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- ..and living in different areas - across the continent.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- The Cherokee - was one of these nations.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- The nation suffered a terrible - hardship when the white man arrived.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Firstly, they brought diseases...
0:04:48 > 0:04:53- ..then caused wars that - led to the Cherokees losing lands.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- It was ultimately ethnic cleansing.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- They were moved from their lands.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- It's a miracle they survived.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- Most Cherokees live in the west - today, in Oklahoma.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- They were forced to go there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Some still live in the east.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- It's their ancestral land.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- They were all here - when Evan Jones arrived...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- ..as a Christian missionary.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- What sort of people - were the Cherokees...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- ..when Evan Jones lived - with them in 1821?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- This is a description by - fellow missionary, Thomas Roberts.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- "Indians are copper-coloured...
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- "..physically graceful - and have black eyes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- "They have long, strong black hair.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04- Oconaluftee village - in the North Carolina mountains...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- ..is similar to a Cherokee - St Fagans.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- They maintain - the old, traditional crafts.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- Weaving...
0:06:13 > 0:06:14- ..pottery...
0:06:15 > 0:06:16- ..woodwork...
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- ..and carving spearheads.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- It was a chance to rehearse - the little Cherokee I know...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- ..with Lucille Lossiah, - a basket weaver.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- I asked her what she was doing.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- SPEAKS CHEROKEE
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- I'm preparing river cane - for basket making.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- I split them twice and peel them.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- I'll colour them with those roots.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- This will colour them like this.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- It's orange.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- I was going to say "giga ge i", - but that's red.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- It could, if you dye them longer.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16- Oconaluftee - recreates a Cherokee community...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- ..from the 1760s.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Evan Jones came to Cherokee land - half a century later.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30- But even then, the world of - the Native Americans was changing.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- Traditionally, - Cherokees lived in villages.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- The women cultivated the land - and grew corn while the men hunted.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52- By Evan Jones's time, they lived - increasingly on separate farms.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- The men tended - the crops and animals...
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- ..as described by Thomas Roberts, - Evan Jones's colleague.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- "They grow corn and beans...
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- "..and root vegetables - called sweet potatoes.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- "Some keep cows, sheep and pigs."
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- The Cherokees began to live - more like their white neighbours.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- They had always farmed, - but not like this.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Hunting was getting harder...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- ..as they lost lands to white men.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- From 1721 on...
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- ..white people extended - their colonies towards the west.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- The Cherokees lost most of - their land in a series of treaties.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- By 1819...
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- ..they had lost all but - 10% of their original territory.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- They still had - the mountains of North Carolina...
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- ..Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- There were prolonged discussions - in the United States capital...
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- ..about how the citizens - of this new country...
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- ..could live alongside - Native Americans.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- It was government policy - to civilize the natives.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- The Cherokees were encouraged to - farm and dress like the white man...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..to speak English - rather than their own languages...
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- ..and to renounce their religion - in favour of Christianity.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- Christian missionaries like Evan - Jones were central to the plan.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- The policy was later described as - "Kill the Indian and save the man."
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- Rather than kill the natives, - kill their culture.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- Rather than kill individuals, - kill their language and identity.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- This Washington museum celebrates - Native American culture...
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- ..including Cherokee culture.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- The situation was very different - in Evan Jones's day.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39- Everything involving the natives was - controlled by the US War Department.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- That speaks volumes about the - white man's attitude towards them.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- "On the 1st October, I have to make - a report to the War Department...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- "..of the proceedings of the year."
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- So said Evan Jones - after he started his work.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- As well as saving souls...
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- ..he was expected to be - some sort of government agent.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- He preached the gospel of peace...
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- ..but was answerable - to the War Department.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- How did the Welshman become - a missionary to the Cherokees...
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- ..in the first place?
0:11:20 > 0:11:20- .
0:11:24 > 0:11:24- Subtitles
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Llaneigon, Breconshire
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- Evan Jones was born and raised - in Llaneigon, east Breconshire.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- It's three miles - from the English border.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- It was a Welsh speaking area.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Evan Jones was baptised - in this church, in 1789.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- It's in the parish register.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12- Evan, son of Samuel and Ann Jones, - May 28th, 1789.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- His father was clearly - highly respected.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- He was one of the church wardens.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- This is Evan Jones's family home...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- ..Llwynffili farm, near Llaneigon.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- The house suggests - they were relatively well off.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- Little is known - of Evan Jones's early years.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- We know he married - Elizabeth Lanigan in 1808.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- The young couple moved to London - soon after to start a new life.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- The only surviving picture - shows him in later life.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- In London, Evan Jones - worked in a shop in Ludgate Hill.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- He tried to master - Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- He was a schoolmaster - for a while...
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- ..before deciding to emigrate - with his young family...
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- ..to America in 1821.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- The family came to Philadelphia.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- His history - in London and Philadelphia...
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- ..suggests a restless nature.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- He couldn't decide - what to do with his life.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- He was spiritually restless, too.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- In London, he turned his back - on the Anglican church.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- He joined the Methodists.
0:13:53 > 0:13:59- In Philadelphia, he changed again, - and joined the Baptists.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04- Hundreds of Welsh people - lived in this part of the US...
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- ..as city place names - bear witness to this day.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- Bala Cynwyd, Radnor, Meirion, - Bryn Mawr, Elwyn.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Evan Jones settled - in the Berwyn suburb.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- He started to worship with - the Baptists in this church.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- Today, it's Great Valley church.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- It was Dyffryn Mawr - in Evan Jones's time.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- It's where he met a man who would - change the course of his life.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35- Thomas Roberts.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- Rev Thomas Roberts - was a Welshman from Denbighshire.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- This is him in later life.
0:14:42 > 0:14:48- Like Evan Jones, - he was a restless young man.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- As one of - the Dyffryn Mawr ministers...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- ..he led a comfortable life.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- He wanted to send Christians...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- ..to lead a mission - amongst Native Americans.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- He sympathized - with the native people...
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- ..because of the way - they were treated by white men.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- "I have witnessed white people...
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- "..treating them - like savage animals.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- "They use the sword - to chase them off their lands."
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- Thomas Roberts realized...
0:15:23 > 0:15:29- ..how this would damage - the missionaries' chance of success.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- He was keen to face the challenge.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- He presented his plan - to the Baptist Missionary Board.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37- It was accepted.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- "The committee wanted - a missionary family...
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- "..to include a minister, - teacher, blacksmith and so on...
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- "..to live with the Cherokee Nation.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- "They invited me - to undertake the task."
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- Twenty five people agreed - to join Thomas Roberts...
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- ..as part of the missionary family.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- There are many Welsh names here.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- We don't know if every missionary - belonged to this church.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- The mission leaders, - and the vision...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- ..sprang from Dyffryn Mawr - Baptist church.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- We could almost call it - a Welsh mission to the Cherokee.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- The Welsh people - included Evan Jones and his family.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- He would be the new venture's - schoolmaster.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- It was an interesting decision.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- The restless Welshman - had moved from Wales to London...
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- ..then to Philadelphia.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- In the two places...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- ..he joined - a thriving Welsh community.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Emigrating wasn't - that much of a change of world.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- As he left this city - and headed to the Cherokee's land...
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- ..Evan Jones abandoned - the security of Welsh culture...
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- ..and entered the unknown.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- No-one was sure what lay in wait - in the Cherokee's land.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- Thomas Roberts's description - of leaving Philadelphia...
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- ..sounds more like a funeral - service than an exciting adventure.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- "At around 11 o'clock, - we gathered in Centre Square.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- "More than a thousand - were present...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- "..to commend us to God - and to the word of His grace.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- "The old and young were in tears."
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- An arduous 800 mile journey - lay ahead.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- It took two months - to go from Philadelphia...
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- ..to the North Carolina mountains.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- "After reaching the Indians' land...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- "..we travelled - for a further three days.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- "We camped around a fire - for two cold nights.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- "We were - in the middle of nowhere...
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- "..surrounded by - wild animals and barbarians.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- "But we were not afraid."
0:18:53 > 0:18:59- The missionaries - had no reason to be afraid.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- The Cherokee Nation - had invited them.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- They weren't - the first missionaries here.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- Moravians, Congregationalists - and Methodists...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- ..had settled - in other parts of country.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- It was first-come, first-served.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- They had chosen - fertile, accessible areas.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- The Baptists settled - in a mountainous, remote area.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- The missionaries came here - to the banks of Hiawssee River...
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- ..to a place called Guna hitunyi, - or Valley Towns, in English.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- It's hard to imagine - how remote this place was...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- ..to the white missionaries - two centuries ago.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- The closest shop was 90 miles away.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- It took six days - for a wagon to get there and back.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- Post from Philadelphia took between - four and eight weeks to arrive.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- The Baptists bought vegetables - and meat from the natives at first.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- But they intended - to be self-sufficient.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- "We are confident - that we have sown enough corn...
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- "..to sustain our mission - and the children in our care."
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- Over the next three years...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- ..wood cabins were built - for every family...
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- ..and the Cherokee children - who attended school.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- There were two schoolhouses, - one for boys and one for girls.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- There was a blacksmith, - stable, barn...
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- ..everything they needed to sustain - the new missionary community.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- There is nothing left...
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- ..of the community - established by the Baptists.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- But the names remind us there - was a mission here 200 years ago.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- In 1999...
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- ..archaeologists excavated - the Valley Towns site.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- They found items - that bring history alive.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Here is a native necklace.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- Here are things - the missionaries brought.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- These are fragments of crockery.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- It's strange to think...
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- ..that perhaps Evan Jones - ate from this plate.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- But it's these items - that epitomize Evan Jones's work.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- He was a schoolmaster.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- He taught Cherokee children - to write.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- They didn't use paper and pencils...
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- ..but slate, like this one.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- This is one of the original - slate pencils...
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- ..that was used to write.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- This is a piece - of one of the original slates...
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- ..used to teach children - in Valley Towns.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- As well as teaching the children - to read and write...
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- ..various crafts were taught.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- The girls learnt to sew. - They made samplers, like this one.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- As we see, to start, - the lessons were in English.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- After moving to Cherokee land...
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- ..Evan Jones immediately - tried to learn their language.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- It was essential.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Of the 6,000 Cherokees - who lived in the mountains...
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- ..no more than six - were fluent in English.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18- Despite that, he was expected to - teach through the medium of English.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- Evan Jones doubted - the wisdom of this...
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- ..as he expressed - in a letter to his employers.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- "To condemn the Cherokee - to the hard fate...
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- "..of acquiring every idea - of God and his salvation...
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- "..through the medium - of an unknown tongue...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- "..appears to be - at variance with reason."
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- To be an effective missionary...
0:23:43 > 0:23:49- ..Evan Jones believed they - should use the Cherokee language.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54- But Evan Jones's employers - on the Mission Board disagreed.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- He argued with them for a long time.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- The Welshman wouldn't back down.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- From then on...
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- ..in his school, he taught - through the medium of Cherokee.
0:24:07 > 0:24:07- .
0:24:15 > 0:24:15- Subtitles
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:24:23 > 0:24:27- There isn't much archaeological - evidence in Valley Towns...
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- ..of Evan Jones - and his fellow missionaries' work.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- But there's a wealth - of information about him...
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- ..in the Baptists' - Archive near Atlanta.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Evan Jones corresponded regularly...
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- ..with his employers - on the Mission Board.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- Hundreds of his letters and reports - have been kept in this collection.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00- It's an exciting experience to see - Evan Jones's original letters.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- These documents in his own hand...
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- ..chronicle his work and - experiences in the Cherokee's land.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- "It is difficult to procure seed.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- "We had to send 50 miles - for 15 bushels of wheat.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- "Our school goes on pretty well."
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Evan Jones wrote - in English to his employers.
0:25:20 > 0:25:25- But Welsh was his first language, - as he noted in this letter.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- "The Welch - is my vernacular language."
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- In his letters - to the Mission Board...
0:25:32 > 0:25:37- ..Evan Jones quite often referred - to "half breeds" and "full Indians".
0:25:39 > 0:25:45- In the 1820s, three-quarters - of the nation were "full Indians"...
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- ..full blood Cherokee.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- The rest had a mixed background.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55- Their parents or grandparents - had intermarried with white people.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00- In Evan Jones's area, most of - the people were full blood natives.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05- They were mainly the ones who - clung to their traditional culture.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- CHEROKEE SOCIAL DANCE
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Today, most of the natives - are mixed blood...
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- ..as we see here - in the village of Oconaluftee.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27- They show tourists - some of the old Cherokee traditions.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- CHEROKEE SOCIAL DANCE
0:26:31 > 0:26:36- But blood isn't what counts most, - as James Wolfe Junior told me.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- Cherokee is within.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- It's not blood and it's not - the colour of a man's skin.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44- Even in the old days...
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- ..you were considered Cherokee from - inside, not from how you looked.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Full blood and mixed - blood are used a lot.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- But this concept came - with Europeans.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57- Oh, yes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- If you took to this life - and you loved it like a Cherokee...
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- ..to us, you were a Cherokee.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- CHEROKEE SOCIAL DANCE
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- Dances were central - to the Cherokee culture.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Some dances were part - of ceremonies to heal the sick...
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- ..others for funerals and weddings.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26- These more ceremonial dances - aren't performed for tourists.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- We have been given permission - to show some of our social dances.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37- These dances would be when we'd - meet to enjoy each other's company.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- I saw you leading the Ant Dance.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40- You enjoy dancing.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41- You enjoy dancing.- - Oh, yes.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- It gives us that bit of connection - that I believe we're missing.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51- They were like prayers to the - creator. You feel it when you dance.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- We're told if you don't enjoy - dancing, don't get out there.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- In a dance, you show honour - to those that came before you.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- To go with negative feelings, - you're not showing honour to anyone.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- You have to go out there - with a good heart.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- CHEROKEE SOCIAL DANCE
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- But for Evan Jones - and Thomas Roberts...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- ..these dances were pagan customs.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19- SHOUTING
0:28:20 > 0:28:24- They were just as opposed - to this game...
0:28:24 > 0:28:26- ..a-ne-tsa, or stickball.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- Later, the game - developed to be lacrosse.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37- In Cherokee tradition, a-ne-tsa - was "the little brother of war".
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- It was a way of solving - disputes between two villages...
0:28:41 > 0:28:43- ..without open fighting.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48- This suggests how fierce - the games could be.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49- SHOUTING
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- The Valley Towns - missionary school banned it.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- "Any pupil who shall attend - any ball play or dance...
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- "..or be guilty of getting - drunk shall be expelled...
0:29:03 > 0:29:08- "..and shall forfeit all clothes - received from the mission."
0:29:08 > 0:29:13- The fact that this rule placed - traditional ballgames and dances...
0:29:13 > 0:29:18- ..in the same category - as drunkenness, speaks volumes.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Evan Jones and Thomas Roberts - refused to accept customs...
0:29:22 > 0:29:26- ..that were an integral part - of the natives' culture.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28- In this respect...
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- ..they were the same - as the other Christian missionaries.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37- But their desire to master - and use the Cherokee language...
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- ..was very unusual.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45- IN CHEROKEE
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- "It is a pity they do not have - books in their own language.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55- "These considerations encouraged - Brother Jones and myself...
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- "..to venture to put - their language in writing.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04- "With a native's help, we have - translated a number of chapters...
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- "..on the life and death of Christ."
0:30:07 > 0:30:12- At first, they tried to use the - Roman alphabet to write Cherokee.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- This is a translation of the Lord's - Prayer by a native colleague...
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- ..Atsi or Arch Skit.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26- There was much prejudice - against using native languages...
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- ..to spread the Gospel.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Some arrogantly believed - the languages...
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- ..lacked the sophistication - to discuss Christian concepts.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41- This was Evan Jones's response to - the claim in the Baptists' magazine.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43- "This is far from being the case.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48- "The Cherokee language possesses - a great facility of combination...
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- "..to readily express new ideas.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- "We have met with several instances - in which the Cherokee language...
0:30:56 > 0:31:01- "..expresses passages of scripture - with peculiar force and beauty."
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- This old wooden church - near Elijay in Georgia...
0:31:17 > 0:31:22- ..dates roughly to Evan Jones and - Thomas Roberts's time in this area.
0:31:24 > 0:31:30- Although the Welshmen's attempts - to learn Cherokee were going well...
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- ..their attempts to save - souls were less successful.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- It was two years - before they converted a Cherokee.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43- The Welsh missionaries - came here to establish a church.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- They had a long way to go - before filling a church like this.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- The missionaries' school was - very popular with the natives.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- "We have 60 or 70 Cherokee - pupils in the school...
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- "..who are fed, clothed - and taught by us."
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- But persuading the Cherokee - to accept the Baptists' religion...
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- ..was a different matter.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16- Many natives had doubts about the - truth of the white man's religion.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- After all, hadn't the white man - cheated the Cherokee...
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- ..time after time in their history?
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- This story is a great example...
0:32:26 > 0:32:31- ..of the suspicion towards - missionaries in general.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36- After starting to publish - the New Testament in Cherokee...
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- ..a copy of Matthew's Gospel - was brought to Yonaguska...
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- ..a very important chief - in the area.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- Yonaguska wanted to hear - this Christian book...
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- ..before allowing missionaries - to give it to his people.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56- So a few chapters of Matthew's - Gospel were read to Yonaguska.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- After deliberating, - this was his answer.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- "Well, it seems a good book.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- "Strange that - the white people are no better...
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- "..after having had it so long."
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- But the Cherokee - didn't accept Christianity sooner...
0:33:17 > 0:33:22- ..mainly because they already - had their own spiritual culture...
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- ..which still survives.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- Tom Belt remembers the first time - he was introduced...
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- ..to his people's religious rituals - at the age of fourteen.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38- SPEAKS CHEROKEE
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- My father took me - to a ceremonial dance.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Before leaving me, he said...
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- "..Watch everything - very carefully tonight.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57- "Maybe this is the path - God has chosen for you."
0:33:57 > 0:34:01- So I stayed up all night, - watching and listening.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- The next morning, - my father came to take me home.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13- On the way, he asked me if - I'd like to go back the next time?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16- I replied I would.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- I felt totally at home there.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24- I felt I belonged.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- One Cherokee belief is that - man is part of something bigger.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49- Nature should be respected - and balance maintained in our world.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- "Going to water", - bathing in a river...
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- ..is a very important - religious ritual.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Some say - it's a purification ritual...
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- ..marking an important - turning point in spiritual life.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- In a way, it's similar - to Christian baptism.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- But that didn't mean that Evan - Jones looked more favourably...
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- ..on Cherokee beliefs, - rather, the opposite.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- In Evan Jones's letters - to the Mission Board in Boston...
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- ..he detailed his battles - with the Adonisgi...
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- ..the traditional priests.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30- He was proud of each victory.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- "On Friday last, we had the - satisfaction to witness the pool...
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- "..where heathen priests - performed ablutions...
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- "..wrested from the prince of - darkness, for baptising Gostaya...
0:35:44 > 0:35:49- "..a full Indian who had previously - given a satisfactory account...
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- "..of his conversion to God, - by the power of Divine grace."
0:36:02 > 0:36:08- But these victories were rare - in the early years in Valley Towns.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12- The Baptist Missionary Board - had invested a lot in the venture.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- But the missionaries were still - far from achieving their aim...
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- ..of converting a good number - of the Cherokee to Christianity.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27- "They have no imagination - about religion, or God.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32- "Pray for me, that I do not tire, - after preaching to men and women...
0:36:32 > 0:36:37- "..who appear - as unfeeling as stones!"
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- Those were Thomas Roberts's - despondent words...
0:36:42 > 0:36:44- ..the originator of the project.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49- In their disappointment, other - members of the missionary family...
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- ..returned to Philadelphia.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57- Eventually, Thomas Roberts - also reached the end of his tether.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- "My wife and I are sad.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06- "We believe it better to move - to another position in spring.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11- "We hope we shall - do more good in another place."
0:37:14 > 0:37:19- About 25 missionaries came to Valley - Towns three and a half years before.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- But by April 1825...
0:37:22 > 0:37:25- ..only Evan Jones - and his family were left.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- The future of the venture - was uncertain.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33- Everything was in the hands of Evan - Jones and his native colleagues.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34- .
0:37:37 > 0:37:37- Subtitles
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- After Thomas Roberts - left Valley Towns...
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- ..Evan Jones began - to preach as well as teach.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- He was ordained - a minister by the Baptists.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- The Cherokee lived in scattered - communities in this area.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- From time to time, - Evan Jones left the church...
0:38:01 > 0:38:06- ..and travelled round - the communities on his horse...
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- ..to preach to the Cherokee.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- God sent his son Jesus - to die a real cruel death.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- But let us praise the Lord, - he rose again on the third day.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- By the early 1830s...
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- ..Evan Jones's persistence - began to bear fruit...
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- ..as he told his employers - in the Mission Board.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39- "Parched ground becomes a pool - and thirsty land springs of water.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44- "The poor despised Cherokees - are becoming the people of God.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- "On Sabbath Day last, I had - the pleasure to bury in baptism...
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- "..seven full Cherokees."
0:38:52 > 0:38:57- In time, the Baptists would become - the most popular denomination...
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- ..amongst the Cherokee.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- It's the same today.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- This is Emma.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- Emma, you have also asked - Jesus to come into your heart.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- We baptise you in the name of - the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15- Amen.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Evan Jones's readiness to use - the Cherokee language to preach...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- ..was a factor - in the Baptists' success.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31- But in 1826...
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- ..he came across a new way - of writing the language...
0:39:36 > 0:39:41- ..helping him to communicate even - more effectively with the natives.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46- This is a sculpture of one of the - Cherokee's greatest benefactors...
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- ..the inventor of the "syllabary".
0:39:51 > 0:39:55- This genius, Sequoyah, - had analyzed his mother tongue...
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- ..inventing a way to write it...
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- ..about ten years - before the Welsh missionaries...
0:40:02 > 0:40:04- ..reached the Cherokee land.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10- He devised a series of 85 signs - for each syllable in the language.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16- The Cherokee don't write their - language with letters like Welsh...
0:40:16 > 0:40:21- ..but with these signs - for the language's syllables.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23- It's called a syllabary.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- It's easier to see - how it works on a grid.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- There's a sign or symbol - for each syllable.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- Ha, He, Hi.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- Ho, Hu, Hy.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- La, Le, Li...
0:40:40 > 0:40:41- ..and so on.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- These symbols, Tja, La and Gi...
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- ..spell Tjalagi, - or Cherokee in their language.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- By using the syllabary, - Cherokee children...
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- ..learnt to read - in their language in days...
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- ..as they still do today.
0:41:07 > 0:41:08- The dog had...
0:41:09 > 0:41:14- ..sweet corn flour - coming out of his mouth...
0:41:16 > 0:41:18- ..sweet corn flour.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20- SPEAKS CHEROKEE
0:41:22 > 0:41:27- Children start to learn the Sequoyah - syllabary when they're three.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31- They don't use the Roman alphabet - at all for Cherokee.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34- They use the syllabary - all the time.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- And what did they do?
0:41:37 > 0:41:38- They hid.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- They hid.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- Sequoyah's invention - was truly revolutionary.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- The Cherokee was the only - native North American nation...
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- ..who invented - their own writing system...
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- ..like the Aztec and Maya - in Central America.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- Sequoyah's feat was to turn - the translation process about.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07- The Cherokee didn't have to learn - the white man's writing system.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- The white man had - to adopt their way.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- This was the method Evan Jones - used to teach the Cherokee...
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- ..to read their own language.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- Temporary schools were opened - in other communities...
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- ..as well as Valley Towns.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28- Some academics have suggested - that over half the nation...
0:42:28 > 0:42:30- ..were literate by 1831.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- In 1828, the syllabary - became even more popular...
0:42:48 > 0:42:52- ..when the Cherokee began - to publish a newspaper.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57- Its title was Tsu-le-hi-sa-ny-hi, - or the Cherokee Phoenix.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- This was a bilingual, weekly paper.
0:43:04 > 0:43:09- Evan Jones used to cut out - the columns in Cherokee...
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- ..and use them to help - his students learn to read.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23- Today, the Cherokee Phoenix - appears monthly...
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- ..with a daily online news service.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30- They look to the future - with confidence...
0:43:30 > 0:43:33- ..as editor Bryan Pollard explains.
0:43:33 > 0:43:39- Many tribes actually look toward - the Cherokee Phoenix for direction.
0:43:39 > 0:43:43- Comanche Nation representatives - came here recently...
0:43:43 > 0:43:46- ..to look at our professionalism...
0:43:46 > 0:43:49- ..and independence - from the tribal government.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- A lot of tribes don't have - any kind of publication.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57- There are tribes that - may be publishing something...
0:43:57 > 0:44:02- ..but it's controlled by the - administration or the council.
0:44:02 > 0:44:08- The Phoenix is totally independent - editorially and has 36,000 readers.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- There is a staff of a dozen.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16- They're all members - of the Cherokee Nation.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20- The native language still - claims a place in the paper...
0:44:20 > 0:44:23- ..with about six stories - a month in Cherokee.
0:44:24 > 0:44:25- Could I see some bilingual stories?
0:44:25 > 0:44:26- Could I see some bilingual stories?- - Sure.
0:44:27 > 0:44:32- Oftentimes people ask why put the - language in when so few speak it.
0:44:32 > 0:44:37- Our philosophy is that if we put - the language in the paper...
0:44:37 > 0:44:41- ..maybe it will encourage people to - want to learn about the language.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45- We try to keep it - in people's consciousness.
0:44:45 > 0:44:45- Make it visible.
0:44:45 > 0:44:46- Make it visible.- - Exactly.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48- Just like road signs you see.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54- It's really important because it's - not a text book, this is real life.
0:44:54 > 0:44:55- About the things happening now.
0:44:55 > 0:44:56- About the things happening now.- - Exactly.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00- So it's a modern - use of the language.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12- The Cherokee Phoenix's first home - was here in New Echota, Georgia.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19- It's quiet here today.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21- But in the 1820s...
0:45:21 > 0:45:26- ..New Echota was rapidly becoming - the capital of the Cherokee.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35- This place was a centre - for the native government...
0:45:36 > 0:45:41- ..stretching across Cherokee lands, - as Thomas Roberts recorded.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47- "Their government - is run by two principal chiefs...
0:45:47 > 0:45:50- "..and a council - elected by the people.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54- "The land is divided - into eight counties.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- "A court is held - in each one twice a year."
0:45:58 > 0:46:02- It was an exciting time - in the Cherokee Nation's history.
0:46:02 > 0:46:07- In the mid 1820s, they were creating - a sophisticated governing centre...
0:46:07 > 0:46:12- ..with a building - for the elected government...
0:46:12 > 0:46:17- ..and another for the nation's high - court, a press office and so on.
0:46:17 > 0:46:22- Dozens of houses - were built in regular streets.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- It was a city, - a focus for the nation.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30- It was a national project.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34- The Cherokee Nation was creating - a new type of government...
0:46:34 > 0:46:38- ..loosely based - on the US government.
0:46:38 > 0:46:39- It's quite ironic.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43- They imitated - the white man's government...
0:46:43 > 0:46:48- ..to better withstand the influence - of the white man's government.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51- IN CHEROKEE
0:46:52 > 0:46:56- I pledge allegiance - to the Flag of the USA...
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- ..and to the Republic - for which it stands.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02- For two centuries, the Cherokee...
0:47:02 > 0:47:05- ..have adapted - to the white man's system...
0:47:05 > 0:47:09- ..and been part - of the national American project.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13- Today, the Cherokee are trying - to hold on to their identity...
0:47:14 > 0:47:17- ..but in the wider - American identity...
0:47:17 > 0:47:20- ..to be a nation - within a wider nation.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26- But that was even harder - in Evan Jones's day...
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- ..as the Welshman - was about to find out.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33- In 1827, Evan Jones - first came to New Echota...
0:47:34 > 0:47:38- ..to listen to the Cherokee - government's debates.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42- But soon, the Welshman began - to play a more prominent role...
0:47:42 > 0:47:44- ..in the nation's life...
0:47:44 > 0:47:49- ..when the Cherokee faced the - greatest crisis in their history.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57- The US government - wanted the Cherokee...
0:47:57 > 0:48:01- ..to move almost 1,000 miles west...
0:48:01 > 0:48:05- ..to release land in the east - for white farmers.
0:48:05 > 0:48:10- If they wouldn't move voluntarily, - they would be forced to go.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14- Evan Jones was about to witness...
0:48:14 > 0:48:17- ..a horrific policy - of ethnic cleansing...
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- ..of the people - with whom he'd made a home.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25- Soon, he would have - to choose a side...
0:48:25 > 0:48:27- ..the US or the Cherokee.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:49:00 > 0:49:00- .