Junaluska

The area around Robbinsville, NC is rich with Cherokee heritage. While we waited at Cheoah Point National Forest Campground for Carol's brake parts to arrive, we decided to explore.

What we found nearby was the gravesite memorial of Junaluska, a prominent Cherokee leader.
His grave is surrounded by a circle of stones telling his life story.
Most notable are his actions that secured victory and fame for Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. In gratitude Jackson promised to always be his friend and never remove his people from their land. Jackson lied. In 1838, Junaluska was removed with other Cherokees to Oklahoma. He later walked back to NC. Upon his return, he was finally recognized for his service and granted land in the area.
The hiking trail educates us about spiritual/herbal medicine the Cherokees used.

Medicine Wheel: According to Indian beliefs, it represents the sacred directions of the Cosmos: East, West, North South, Above, Below, Within, and symbolizes the powerful effect of Spiritual Medicine.

Along the trail, plants are identified along with an explanation of their uses.
I was interested in the belief that drops from the Mayapple fruit in the ear would reduce deafness....now that's something I could use!
Unfortunately there was no fruit on the Mayapple plants we saw.
These are called buffalo nuts. These nuts are rich in oil and can be used to make candles. The nuts are poisonous to humans, but apparently attract deer....so popular with deer hunters. Water can also be found near these bushes. The Cherokee chewed the nut and swallowed the juice to induce vomiting.
The worker at the museum is Cherokee and was very knowledgeable and informative about the Eastern Tribe.
We watched an interesting film about the life of Maggie Wachacha. The museum worker was related to her and filled us in on information not included in the film. She practiced herbal medicine, served as a midwife, and served as Clerk of the Tribal Council for over twenty years, walking many miles to meetings. The title "Beloved Woman" is a Tribal recognition that was only bestowed upon a woman of great achievement. Very few women received the honor at that time. Nowadays, according to our informant this has become very political.

I'm on the move again. Carol's RV is getting fixed and she will be heading home. My next post will be from Balsam Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.