Month: June 2023

This update involves Dawn (during her busy daily duties) and the bottle challenge that she is spearheading for needed funds for the new cultural center to open. This is urgent as it has a deadline of July 15th.

So, let’s hear Dawn talk more about it:

“The nation has been put to a test. I had a gentleman stop by the office to spend some time with me, going over his family line, looking at the museum, etc. He asked about learning more about the Bottle Challenge and then made another challenge on top of that!

His challenge is from July 1 ending on July 15, then he will match all donations up to $1,500.00! (please be sure note in the comments section for the “Bottle drive for the Cultural Center”). (click here to donate)

Remember, I put a challenge out there to fill any bottle with change last month, then cash it in and send a check, money order or pay on pay-pal. My goal is $5,000; this will help with the few items that need to be fixed at our new Culture Center before we can do an Open House. SO, the challenge is on, we need your donations in the office from July 1st to July 15th.

Watch out Mr. Matthews!”

To donate and support this “should not fail” challenge – Click here….

Let’s all answer the call! I for one just sent my $100 donation on the above link – to this worthy cause which Dawn has worked so hard on… we simply can’t miss losing this generous additional support!

The Tribe is calling for all 2023 Brothertown Indian Nation Graduates! Please let us know as we are preparing our annual honor of all our Youth celebrating milestones in their educational accomplishments.

Always remember and celebrate your success, there was a time when our people could not obtain even a basic education or have a chance at a college education and so we do not take it lightly. The Tribe is proud of each and every one of you!

Please include a digital color Photo (and additional information: School, Town, State, Degree, etc.) and email the website here...

193 years ago, unbeknownst to our Ancestors, the US government set in motion something we as Brothertown’s are still dealing with in 2023.

May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act.

The Act established a process whereby the president could grant land west of the Mississippi River to Indian tribes that agreed to give up their homelands. As incentives, the law allowed the Indians financial and material assistance to travel to their new locations and start new lives and guaranteed that the Indians would live on their new property under the protection of the United States Government forever.

With the Act in place, Jackson and his followers were free to persuade, bribe, and threaten tribes into signing removal treaties and leaving the Southeast portion of the country. By the end of President Jacksons presidency almost 70 removal treaties were signed, and nearly 50,000 eastern Indians were moved further west. Many of our Brothertown ancestors chose a different path rather than be removed from their lands for a 3rd time. Ultimately signing the 1838 treaty which became The Act of 1839.

A sad note to is The Indian Removal Act by the Government, was that it set in motion the Trail of Tears, which attributed to the genocide of thousands of American Indians and the death of one-quarter Cherokee people alone.

Original resource article through Yahoo News and Native News Online