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My Cherokee Name is: "Mourning Dove"


Above: My husband Derek and myself

First a little about me:

OSIYO(hello), I was born in Joliet,Illinois and I was raised in Shorewood,Ill. Shorewood is a small neighborhood that borders Joliet. This area is about 45 miles south of Chicago,Ill. My dad moved up north to find work at General Motors Corporation, after he was discharged out of the Navey. Dad is originally from Old Fort,Tennessee in the Polk,Co.mountains. Mom's family moved north when she was just 14, grandpa needed work after the closing of the coal mine.They are from Sunbright,Tn. in Morgan,Co. Grandpa found his job with Caterpillar. My granparents had an extra room in their home that they rented out for borders, this is how my parents met as dad became 1 of their borders.Mom made dads 1st breakfast in that house. My parents got married in a small cerimony in the home of moms parents on Feb.23,1960 in Joliet,Ill. I was 1 of 4 children raised by my parents.I went to Troy Schools. We went to Old Fort,Tn. every summer while I was growing up on vacation to dads parents farm, this is where my greatest memories of being a child was spent! I remeber grandma teaching me how to collect eggs in the early morning, how to feed all her critters,and churning buttermilk, I remeber grandpa milking cows, slopping the pigs, working the fields and so much more.Grandpa kept a pony around for us grandkids to ride.I have always loved the country, the mountains, animals and fresh air. So I decided that the south is where I wanted to be when I grew up!!! I am now all grown up with 3 children: Donald who is now 24, Elizabeth - 19, and Adam - 14. I have 2 step-children and they are Bryan-23, and Sarah-16. Donald and Bryan have both graduated High School, we have 3 more to go. Bryan is married to a wonderful girl named Leslie & they have a beautiful daughter Hannah Grace Crowell she is now 1 1/2 years old. Elizabeth is married to Larry and they have 2 beautiful boys William Anthony Henderson age 3 and Richard Alan Henderson age 2. So far I am blessed with 3 beautiful grandchildren! Dad retired at age 51 from General Motors and now he and mom have moved back to Tennessee, they are living in Cleveland, Bradley,Co. I currently reside in Alabama with my wonderful husband Derek. Now next to my children, Derek is the best thing in the world to happen to me and I love him with all of my Heart!!! Derek is very supportive of my many intrests and I thank him for being so!!! Some of my main intrest are...I am a Certified Nurses Assistant, I love horseback riding, genealogy, learning my native american roots, learning the culture, history, and language, most importantly "Traditional ways". I do talk with the Creater and I go to as many pow-wows as I am able. I have native roots on both mom and dads side of my family tree, and someday I hope to finally be able to say from whom all of my native blood is from. I am also very honored to be a proud tribal member!!! Someday I will be able to afford to get rid of all my current clothing and wear only traditional Cherokee tear dresses!!! I am not in the tribe for any monatary reasons, but I'm the tribe because I feel in my heart and soul, that it's where I belong!!!

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My Cherokee background...........


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