The Lone Wolf Band of Cherokee Indians
Indiana's Cherokee people.

THE SEVEN CLANS OF THE CHEROKEE

The membership to the Cherokee clans is attained through the mother. The women are considered as the Head of the house, with the home and the children belonging to her should she separate or lose her husband. The knowledge of a person’s clan is very important for many reasons. Historically and even today with Cherokee traditionalist, it is forbidden to marry within the clan. Members within a clan are considered as brothers and sisters.

Blue Clan
This Clan has also been called the Panther Clan or Wild Cat Clan in various regions. People of the Blue Clan are the Keepers of the makers of Children’s special medicine and the caretakers of medicinal herb gardens. They were also known as a white peace clan.

Twister Clan
This Clan is also known as the Long Hair Clan, the woman’s warrior society. The Clan has also been called the Hanging Down Clan, Wind Clan or Stranger Clan. It was said that members of this clan wore their hair in elaborate styles. The members of the Long Hair Clan are the traditional teachers and keepers of the traditions.

Bird Clan
This Clan was responsible for the keeping of the sacred birds and feathers as well as the bird medicines. The belief is that the birds are the messengers between the people the Creator. The Creator gave the Clan the responsibility of caring for the birds. The members of the Clan were often messengers. Eagle members of this clan were the only ones who could hunt the eagle and distribute the eagle feathers.

Paint Clan
Those who belonged to this Clan made red paint. Pain Clan members were traditionally known as the medicine people. Medicine was often “painted” on a patient after harvesting, mixing and performing the healing ceremony. The red paint was also used for war fair and painted on the warriors and their weapons. This Clan was also known as a Red War Clan.

Deer Clan
Members of this Clan were deer called the keepers of the deer and members were the deer hunters, trackers, tanners and seamers. Members of the clan were known as fast runners and foot messengers as well as hunters and were also responsible for the care of the animals that lived among the tribe. This Clan was also known as a White Peace Clan.

Wild Potato Clan
This Clan was also called, Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan and Blind Savannah Clan. Members of this Clan are known as the “Keepers of the Land.” They are the farmers and gatherers and they were named after the wild potato plants that they gathered in the swamps and along streams. This clan was known as a White Peace Clan.

Wolf Clan
The Wolf Clan is the largest of the Cherokee clans today and the most prominent. The Wolf Clan has provided most of the history’s war chiefs and warriors. Wolves are known as protectors of the people. Members of the Wolf Clan are the trackers and keepers of the wolves and members are the only ones who can kill a wolf after performing sacred ceremonies. This Clan is known as a Red War Clan.

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