Individual Recognition
Some people who are ineligible for tribal membership join Heritage groups to identify with the Cherokee. The majority of Heritage groups are formed by those who rally around a cause such as "Save Kituwah", language preservation, or to maintain cultural art forms such as basket weaving. Both the Eastern and Western Cherokee have master teachers in these art forms with large followings. The rise of Social Media has helped connect individuals with interests in genealogy and heritage. Members of "I am Cherokee and I can prove it" meet only on Facebook and have "virtual hog fries". Eastern European heritage groups use the social media to connect with Cherokee in the U.S. and share information.
Recognized tribes have encouraged the federal government to hold to a system of "Tribal" recognition rather than "Indian" or individual recognition, and an origin benchmark of 1871.
Read more about this topic: Cherokee Heritage Groups
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