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Cherokee Core Values

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PC: Jonah Lossiah/One Feather Photo

Spirituality

  • Spirituality creates a bond among our people in good times and difficult times

  • Spirituality is the cornerstone of survival

  • Shared spirituality is a foundation of kin relationships

  • Spirituality develops the heart

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Group Harmony

  • Community & Kin Relationships

  • Giving & Sharing

  • Respect for Family Institution 

  • Sacrifice for the People

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Strong Individual Character

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

  • Integrity

  • Courage

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  • Respect

  • Trust

  • Honor

  • Humility

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Sense of Place

  • Strong Connection with Lands

  • Stewardship of the Homelands of the Cherokee

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Honoring the Past

  • Knowing One's Ancestors

  • Possessing a Sense of Cherokee Identity and Belonging

  • Revitalizing and Living the Cherokee Culture

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Educating the Children

  • Provide Values-Oriented Education and Recreation

  • Role Models in Family, School, and Community Settings

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Sense of Humor

  • Self-effacing humor - pokes fun at yourself as well as others.

  • Humor is used to lighten pressure and help make good decisions.

  • Indian humor is universal. 

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These core values are sourced from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation's Vision Qualla initiative and a follow-up discussion with the Tribal Council in February 2005

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