Biographies of the Cherokee Indians

The Keetoowah Society played a pivotal role in the Cherokee Nation’s resistance to the Dawes Commission Treaty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On January 31, 1899, a general election revealed a strong opposition among the Full-blood Cherokees, led by Redbird Smith, against the allotment of lands and the dissolution of their government. Despite the eventual acceptance of change by some members, Smith and his followers remained steadfast in their resistance until about 1910. Redbird Smith’s leadership as Chief of the Nighthawk Keetoowah Society, from 1908 until his death in 1918, focused on preserving Cherokee heritage, fostering unity, and promoting industrial and spiritual strength among his people. His vision for a unified and industrious Cherokee community continued to influence the Society’s direction even after his death.