December 1, 2022
From Chief Wooten From Vice Chief Majors
Good afternoon my Echota brothers and sisters. These
last seven months have been very taxing on the Tribe and
its citizens. Patience. There was so much that needed to
be corrected so that the tribe was brought into the current
times. A big piece of the tribe is there, but there is still
more work that needs to be done. Believe it or not, the
Echota Cherokee Tribe is now on the map so all can see
us and start to realize that we are more than just a state
recognized tribe. Echota Cherokee is a way of life, a
statement, a force to be reckoned with. We are Cherokee!
As Chief, I will never have anyone or any tribe make a
feeble attempt to belittle our tribe or its citizens. I can't
stand bullies! We are now a power house on the stage of
recognition. No one, and I mean no one will ever take that
away. Rita Majors and myself were elected to correct the
path the tribe was on, and that's what we are doing. But
this could not have been possible without the people that
surround us. The Echota has an array of amazing and
talented people within the tribe. V.C. Majors and myself
make it a point to have our tribal citizens get involved with
art work, craft work, advice or wherever needed. We make
it a point to listen to our citizens, and our elders. “Progress
through Indian Unity” is our motto. Time to start living up to
it.
With kindest regards,
Chief “Red Stag” Wooten
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
The Longhouse was decorated on Sunday in
preparation for the December 3rd Christmas
party on the tribal grounds. The beautiful tree
was put up and decorations added alongside
Santa’s chair. Our Christmas party is dedicated
to our children.
The Christmas Party will be from 11:00am to
4:00pm. We request that you furnish gifts (not to
exceed $5 each) (1) adult male gift (1) adult
female gift (1) male Child, (1) female child. The
goal is to ensure everyone gets something.
This year the Chief and Vice Chief will provide
the turkey and ham for the dinner. So if everyone
would please bring the side items. Please plan
to attend with your Family. We look forward to
seeing you. We have it on good authority that
Santa may stop by.
Thank you,
Vice Chief
Rita “A-Lu-Li” (Grandmother Tree) Majors
1
 Citizen Works on Movie Set Getting Ready for the Christmas Party

One of our citizens, Justin Chavers (Chi-Wah) who is

Long Haired Clan, recently worked as a stunt rigger
on the movie set, Birthright, in Columbus, GA. and
came across three siblings (the Suggs). Through
conversation they all found out that they are all
members of the Echota Tribe. Justin expressed how
wonderful it was meeting of fellow tribesmen.

From Left to Right: Robert Sugg, Crimson Rose

Sugg, Justin Chavers, Colt Sugg
_________________________________________
Cherokee Word for Christmas:

https://youtu.be/mqQUUBjvg00

Cherokee Word for Happy New Year:

https://youtu.be/xdT-eJvE9HE

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 2

 Birthday Announcement
Happy 80th Birthday Wehali!
We are so grateful for you and all the direction that
you give to our tribe. Your sacrifice and devotion is
something that has blessed many generations.
With Love & Admiration
Your Devoted Family
_____________________________________
Our Tribe is on the map!!!
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
Congratulations to the New
Miss Indian Alabama 2023
Olivia Parker
Olivia, a citizen of our tribe, is the daughter of
David Parker and Sherry Johnson. She is from
the Wolf Clan. She is currently attending the
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Congratulations also to the runner up.
Olivia Fanning
Olivia, a citizen of our tribe, is the daughter of
Jack and Mellisa Fanning. She is from the Deer
Clan. She is a freshman at the University of
Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
3

Paint Clan News
The Paint Clan meeting was held on Saturday
November 19, 2022 at 12:00 noon at the Historic
Train Depot in Guntersville, Alabama.
We discussed a Native American heirloom brown
cotton and had a small sample for everyone to see
this amazing plant. We are planning on having a
guest speaker for this brown cotton either in January
or during our plant and seed swap meeting in March
which you don’t want to miss. If your family has any
history with this cotton, please come share it.
There is no mailing address to the museum, but it is
very easy to find. It is located at the corner of Blount
Ave and Greenwood St about a mile South of the big
river bridge in Guntersville, and also located just
behind Ross Graden Lumber that is on Blount Ave.
There is a Historic Train Depot sign on Blount Ave
and just follow it a couple hundred feet to the end of
the road where the railroad tracks and Depot are
located.
Wado,
Chief - Reginald L Hughes at hughes452@att.net or
call/text 256-572-5319 William is a flint knapper and maker of traditional
Vice Chief – William Gaskin 256-630-6678
Council at Large – William Gaskin 256-630-6678
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
Tribal Citizen Spotlight
William James Nance
William and his sister wearing our traditional
clothes
William lives in Idaho and Oregon. He worked for
the Idaho Transportation Department for 27 years
in the Engineering and Environmental Planning
Divisions and retired in 2010.
He has a BA from the University of Washington
(73) in Anthropology and Archaeology.
He currently is the Curator of Anthropology and
Ethnography at the Orma J, Smith Museum of
Natural History at The College of Idaho. Caldwell,
Idaho.
William has studied the ancient cultures in Mexico,
and took part in all of the traditional ceremonies
and rituals in the Teotihuacan Area. He has
represented the Echota Cherokee Tribe at a
number of events in Central Mexico and danced at
the Fiesta of Guadalupe with the local village
dancers. He has taken part in sweats and healing
ceremonies. He studies indigenous plant use and
collects plants and herbs with a number of the
traditional medicinal practitioners that live at San
Sebastian Xolopa.
tools and pottery. He owns property in both Idaho
and Oregon, where he has cows and farming
interests. He is also known as tsi-s-de-tsi d-lo'-ni-ge
(weasel)
4
 Wolf Clan Meeting Notes:
The Wolf Clan held their November meeting at the
Alabaster, Alabama, Church of God. Twelve
members and two guests were present. Chief Wayne
Yates blessed the food. After lunch, Chief Yates
called the meeting to order.
Chief Yates called on Governing Body member
Nancy Massey to provide a report on the last
Governing Body meeting. First, Ms. Massey asked
that prayers be raised for our tribe and its leadership.
Ms. Massey stated that the Tribal leadership has
proposed new by-laws, and that these had been sent
to Wolf Clan members. However, most clan members
had only received the by-laws either the previous day
or the day of the meeting. Therefore, insufficient time
was available for Wolf Clan members to review the
proposed by-laws and comment on these.
Chief Yates and Ms. Massey discussed the need for
a “snail mail” list of Tribal members who do not have
access to electronic mail. Mrs. Charlotte Hallmark
has indicated that she is willing to continue mailing
the “Smoke Signals” newsletter to those who wish to
receive it. However, she needs an accurate list from
Tribal headquarters of the members who want this
newsletter, and she also needs the funds to mail the
newsletter. The need for an accurate Tribal Financial
Report was discussed by the clan with special
attention given to ensuring that the Tribe remains
compliant with its 501 (c) (3) designation and that the
Tribe’s accounting is in compliance with all state and
federal laws.
Chief Yates reminded the members of the Christmas
party to be held on Tribal Grounds 3 December
2022.
Don Howard announced the meeting in Helena,
Alabama, on 19 November 2022, to celebrate Indian
Tribal Unity and called attention to the apology letter
to all Alabama indigenous tribes issued by Alabama
Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker. Mr. Howard
asked all who could do so to attend this meeting.
Clan member Lenela Glass-Godwin provided turkey
feathers from wild turkeys residing on her family’s
Century Farm for any members who wished to use
them for smudging or other ceremonies.
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
Wolf Clan Meeting Notes, Cont.
Clan member Stanley Trimm nominated Nancy
Massey to be our PowWow Committee
Representative. He made a motion that she be
accepted for this. Lenela Glass-Godwin seconded,
and the motion passed
Unanimously.
With no further business, Stanley Trimm moved to
close the meeting. Lenela Glass-Godwin seconded,
the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting
was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Lenela Glass-Godwin
Wolf Clan Recording Secretary
____________________________________
By-Law Information:
The by-laws were presented to the Clan Reps at
the last meeting on September 10th. The Clan
Reps were asked to look over the by laws and
offer suggestions for change, etc. Each Clan
Rep was to contact Almon Majors with any
changes, suggestions, comments or concerns.
The deadline given was November 30th.
___________________________________
FAKE Echota Cherokee Page on Facebook
When adding a location to your pictures on
Facebook, you will see a location called Echota
Cherokee Tribe of Alabama Inc. This is not our
tribal Facebook page and does not belong to us.
Therefore, we cannot support citizens tagging to
this location. It puts our pictures on a page that
does not belong to us. Our official Facebook
page will have our tribal logo and is called The
Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.
5
 Echota Citizen Shares His Heritage, cont.
Echota Citizen Shares His Heritage
You can hear Ron’s award winning music on most
streaming sites. Search for “Ron Warren”. Some
albums are listed under the band name “Aura Surey”.
Visit “Ron Warren Music” on YouTube for music
videos and Native Flute playing tips. Meditation
music by Ron is available at
Insight-Timer.

Ron offers online (Zoom) lessons in Native Flute

playing, music theory and songwriting (discount for
Echota Cherokee tribal members). Live Stream
performances and workshops are also available. Visit
the website, www.ronwarrenmusic.com, for more
information.

Ron Warren’s Native American flute playing and

music were featured on concerts this past
September at the Omaha Conservatory and at the
University of Nebraska, Lincoln. While in Lincoln, he
was interviewed on Nebraska Public Radio and
provided workshops about his music for students at
the University. In October, he provided meditation
music and led discussions for a Compassionate
Listening group meeting in Birmingham, AL.

_____________________________________

Our tribe's name is listed on the Honor Wall of the

National Museum of the American Indian in
Washington D.C.

Ron has been invited to share his flute playing and

music at a concert in New York City at the
Kosciuszko Foundation in May, 2023. The
Compassionate Listening organization has requested
another presentation for the spring.

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 6

 Our Condolences Interesting Facts about the Cherokee
● The Cherokee are an Iroquian-speaking
As a member of the Wolf Clan, I want to announce
people who refer to themselves as Aniyvwiya
the passing of my Beloved sweet husband of
(“the Real People”). Most Iroquoian-speaking
Douglas “Doug” Alan Hamm. We were friends for 41
people lived near the Great Lakes, leading
yrs this year, met at age 13 & 19, our mothers
historians to believe the Cherokee migrated
wanted us to marry but through shyness we missed
south from that region. They eventually
our first opportunity in college. 20 yrs later we
settled in the mountains of North Georgia,
reunited and are married 15 years in 2022 with
eastern Tennessee, and Western North
always a Christian love, teamwork, respect between
Carolina.
us. A once-in-a-lifetime forever love… our mothers
● Cherokee villages were usually positioned
were right we are a perfect match.
near a river and consisted of 30 to 60 houses,
as well as a larger council house used for
Doug was perfectly healthy 58 yr old working full time
political assemblies and religious ceremonies.
& golfing weekly until his immune system was
These houses were made out of river cane
suppressed with covid. Once recovered we learned
plastered with mud and had a thatched roof.
the only medication he ever took in his life was
After the arrival of European settlers, they
Prilosec/Omaprazole acid-reflux OTC daily with a
began living in log cabins and wooden
cup of coffee causes liver & kidney cancer. We were
houses.
unaware of the class action lawsuits against all the
● The Cherokee originally traveled on foot or
proton-pump inhibitor over the counter medicines or
via canoes made from hollowing out large
we would have found different one for his heartburn.
logs. It wasn’t until Europeans came to the
A tragedy and totally avoidable young death. So sad.
U.S. and brought horses that horseback
For my humble precious husband it was his liver
riding became a common mode of
which went from zero to stage 4 in 32 days. We went
transportation.
to UAB, Emory-Atlanta, Ga, MD Anderson-
HoustonTX , & Columbia Presbyterian Hospital NYC
to no avail.

After an aggressive intense battle with Prayer & any

Alternative treatments we could find, our Lord called
my Beloved Doug to be one of his Angels in Heaven
at age 58.9 yrs old. He would have been 59 yrs old in
21 days. I hope he meets our 5 babies in Heaven
and they have his beautiful blue eyes. I cared for him
24 hrs a day for his final months.
Douglas Alan Hamm
11/26/63 to 11/06/22
I’m a forever widow at age 54 now and will draw on
the love in our Tribe for caring for each other. I
welcome prayers from our Cherokee family. Doug & I
enjoyed participating in our Pow Wow and Wolf Clan.
I look forward to a joyful reunion one day in Heaven.
Love,
Mrs. Melanie Hamm
1401 Doug Baker Blvd 107-205
Birmingham AL 35242
melaniesmithhamm@hamm
_________________________________
Not Able to See the Online Newsletter?
Dear Citizens, if you know of an elder or other
citizen who is unable to go online to read the
newsletter or have it sent to them in email, we
ask that you let your Clan Rep know so that they
can print a copy and get it to those individuals or
if you have a printer, please consider printing a
copy and giving it to your elders or citizens who
do not have technology. You might even want to
call them and read the newsletter to them.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but the
tribe cannot, at this time, send out the newsletter
via snail mail.

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 7

 Did You Know?

According to The National Conference of State

Legislatures, there are 63 state-recognized tribes
in 11 states—Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia,
Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont and
Virginia.

In the state of Alabama, we have 9 state

recognized tribes. Even though the Poarch Creek
are state recognized, they also have federal
recognition.

At its November 12, 2022, meeting, the Wolf

Clan continued its support of our veterans by
donating needed items to Three Hots and A Cot.
This donation continues the Wolf Clan’s ongoing
backing of this organization. Three Hots and A
Cot was formed by veterans to assist homeless
military veterans’ transition from life on the
streets into a self-sustained lifestyle. Assistance
provided includes temporary housing, meals, _______________________________________
counseling, medical, dental, and job placement
services. To learn more about Three Hots and A
Cot, please visit its website at:
www.cotsforvets.org . Should you wish to join
the Wolf Clan in helping this organization, you
may view a list of its current needs at:
www.cotsforvets.org/ways-to-help .
Did you know that because you are Native
American you can qualify for certain business
loans?

To find out more, visit the link below.

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-b
usiness/native-american-owned-businesses

Clan Chief Wayne Yates’ SUV Loaded With

Donations From The Wolf Clan

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 8

 2022 Aerial Shots of the Tribal Grounds During the Festival
Courtesy of Citizen Emory Harshman

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 9

 Echota Business Page:
If you have a business card with your business information or a website address of your business
that you would like to share, please sign up here.
Let’s shop with our citizens!!!

Weeya Michelle Calif Ron Warren

Artist, Educator & Storyteller Native American Flute Player
Native American
If you need a logo design, artwork, Ron offers online (Zoom) lessons
Aztec/Cherokee Creations
art classes taught or a storyteller in Native Flute playing, music
We Focus our Creations on our
for an event, Weeya Calif is a theory and songwriting (discount
ancestors of the Aztec Mayans
professional in these areas. for Echota Cherokee tribal
Toltecs and Cherokee. Hand Made
members). Live Stream
Traditional Items. Leather bags,
Website: www.weeyacalif.com performances and workshops are
Necklaces, Dreamcatchers,
Email: weeyacalif@gmail.com also available. Visit the website,
Drums, Earrings, Medicine Bags,
www.ronwarrenmusic.com, for
and much more.
more information.
Email: awarren2006@yahoo.com
Website:https://native-american-a
ztec-creations.business.site/​
Phone: 719-248-3131

The Offices of Michael D. Freels

“Lil Cory” Tax & Immigration Consultant.

Cory Edwards General office work.
Actor | Musician | Music
Producer Phone: 479-856-5557
Email: mdfreels@yahoo.com
Film/TV/Voice:
Talent Manager: Alison McMahon
Pure raw honey from North
alison@vaentertainment.ca Alabama.

Twitter: @lilcorymuzik
Instagram: @lilcorymusic

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 10

 The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
Did you know that you can now pay your fees
Head Leadership online? Just visit our tribe's website. Click on the
Principal Chief Dennis “Red Stag”
Citizens Only tab and choose Assessment Fees.
Wooten
https://echotacherokee.org/assessment-fees.html
Vice Chief Rita “Drumgore” Majors
_____________________________________
Parliamentarian Position Open

Recording Secretary Position Open

Clan Chiefs

Bird Clan Jean Chandler

Blue Clan James Swann, Jr.

Deer Clan Wayne Smith Calendar of Events

The tribe is now posting tribal events, meetings,
Long Hair Clan Tommy Keith
clean up days and more on our calendar which
Paint Clan Reginald Hughes is on our website. If any citizen or clan has
important dates they would like us to post on the
Wild Potato Clan Position Open website’s calendar, please forward that
Wolf Clan Wayne Yates
information via email to:

Clan Representatives theechotacherokeetribeofal@gmail.com

______________________________________
Bird Clan Martha Gann Reminders:
Blue Clan Emmett Turner Please spread the word about the Welcome
Home Program.
Deer Clan Gary Parnell
Update your information online or on paper.
Long Hair Clain Sharon Keith

Paint Clan William Gaskin If you need a replacement card, see here.

Wild Potato Clan Position Open You can now pay your assessment fees online,
click here.
Wolf Clan Nancy Massey

At - Large Hans Friedrich

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 11

 Your Native American Rights As
Echota Cherokee Citizens

Worship in the Manner of Your Ancestors

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act

Public Law No. 95-341, 92 Stat. 469 (August 11, 1978)

We are excited to share with the tribe that we
will be sending out the newsletter every two
months via email and posting it on the website.
This will help save our tribe a lot of money.
However, for our citizens who wish to receive the
Smoke Signals, it will be sent out by Ms.
Charlotte H. quarterly.
These rights include, but are not limited to, access to
sacred sites, freedom to worship through ceremonial and
traditional rights and use and possession of objects
considered sacred. The act required policies of all
governmental agencies to eliminate interference with the
free exercise of native religion.
______________________________________________

Dates to remember:
Deadlines to submit items to go into the
newsletter will be the 20th of the previous
mouth. For example, the next Newsletter will go
out on February 1st. All items citizens want
posted in the newsletter need to be submitted to
the tribe's email by January 20th.
Deadline to Submit Newsletter Posted
Market Your Arts and Crafts as "Native
American or Indian Made"
"The Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Act) of 1990 (P.L.
101-644) is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits
misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian arts and
crafts products within the United States. It is illegal to offer
or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a
manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an
Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or
Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident
within the United States.

January 20th February 1st Under the Act, an Indian is defined as a member of any
federally or officially state recognized tribe of the United
March 20th April 1st States, or an individual certified as an Indian artisan by an
Indian tribe." -- U.S. Department of Interior, Indian Art &
May 20th June 1st Crafts Board

July 20th August 1st ______________________________________________

September 20th October 1st

The U. S. Census Bureau defines a native
November 20th December 1st American as follows:

If you have items you would like included in the American Indian and Alaska Native. A person having
origins in any of the original peoples of North and South
newsletter, please send it to: America and who maintain tribal affiliation or community
theechotacherokeetribeofal@gmail.com attachment.

If you have items you would like to go in the

Smoke Signals, please contact Ms. Charlotte at:
chr0842@bellsouth.net

The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama 12