Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
Recognizes Israel as a sovereign Jewish Nation and Jerusalem as its Eternal Undivided Capital

Tribal Council Meeting
Guntersville, Alabama ~ 11am Saturday September 25th, 2021

Following a unanimous vote of the Tribal Council, the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama expressed solidarity with Israel as a sovereign Jewish Nation, and formally recognized Jerusalem as its eternal undivided capital. It was an expression of covenant and brotherhood, out of a shared bond, with both being indigenous peoples who sense a deep calling and divine responsibility to steward sacred lands.

For many the timing was also especially meaningful as the resolution was signed and presented from the Cherokee Tribal Council during Sukkoth, the biblical Feast of Tabernacles on the Hebrew Calendar - a holy season of the year when Israel remembers their dwelling in tents after the deliverance from Egypt, celebrates with thanksgiving the annual ingathering of the fruits of the Land, and is the very time when the Shekinah glory of God filled the biblical temple as Solomon dedicated it in Jerusalem (2 Chr 5-7).

That same “Temple Mount,” and its historic foundation still visible at that very same site (including the “Western Wall”), remain one of the holiest sites of Judaism and is located in “East Jerusalem” - which many dispute claiming Jews have no right to (and therefore “occupy”).

In a time when many call for the dividing of Jerusalem with East Jerusalem as the capital of an Arab state, it is very significant that a strong voice and witness recognizing an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of a Jewish state comes from the Cherokee, an indigenous people pre-dating the modern ideological, partisan, and geopolitical lines.

The Resolution (PDF) • Letter from Israel (PDF)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
Tribal Council Meeting
Guntersville, AL

The Tribal Council of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama met in Guntersville on September 25th, 2021 to share a meal together and convene for tribal affairs, which included a formal resolution recognizing Israel as a sovereign Jewish Nation and Jerusalem as its Eternal Undivided Capital.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn; Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith;

THE COVER
Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama and Israeli Seals
Emblems and Expressions of Two Peoples

The resolution presented was leather bound and emblazoned with the seal of each people - the seal of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama to the Left, and the seal of Israel to the Right.

OPENING

It was a powerful expression of covenant and brotherhood, out of a shared bond, with both being indigenous peoples who sense a deep calling and divine responsibility to steward sacred lands.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith; Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn;

HONORING and RECOGNIZING

Honoring the Hebrew scriptures and their spiritual legacy as a People, on the Left is inscribed a biblical promised blessing and their redemptive calling and destiny to be a blessing to the nations.

Recognizing Israel as a sovereign Jewish nation, and Jerusalem as its eternal undivided capital, on the Right is the formal signed resolution passed following a unanimous vote by the Tribal Council.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith; Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn;

THE TIME

For many the timing was also especially meaningful as the resolution was signed and presented from the Cherokee Tribal Council during Sukkoth, the biblical Feast of Tabernacles on the Hebrew Calendar - a holy season of the year when Israel remembers their dwelling in tents after the deliverance from Egypt, celebrates with thanksgiving the annual ingathering of the fruits of the Land, and is the very time when the Shekinah glory of God filled the biblical temple as Solomon dedicated it in Jerusalem (2 Chr 5-7).

That same “Temple Mount,” and its historic foundation still visible at that very same site (including the “Western Wall”), remain one of the holiest sites of Judaism and is located in “East Jerusalem” - which many dispute claiming Jews have no right to (and therefore “occupy”).

In a time when many call for the dividing of Jerusalem with East Jerusalem as the capital of an Arab state, it is very significant that a strong voice and witness recognizing an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of a Jewish state comes from the Cherokee, an indigenous people pre-dating the modern ideological, partisan, and geopolitical lines.

LETTER FROM ISRAEL

A very special framed letter from Israel was presented by Laura King, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF). On behalf of Israel, Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon expressed deep appreciation for the formal resolution and gratitude for the friendship and support of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) Co-Chair, Laura King; Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith; Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn;

SPECIAL GIFT - THE TESTIMONY OF SACRED LAND

A small thank you gift was presented by John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF). It held very special meaning and was from the Land of Israel itself - actual dirt from the Holy Land, from the very place along the Jordan River where the biblical account records Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the Exodus. It was from the very place the descendents of Abraham returned to the land of their patriarch, fulfilling the extraordinary promise from many centuries earlier.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) Co-Chair, John Buhler; Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) Co-Chair, Laura King; Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith; Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn;

SELAH - EMOTION, EXPRESSION, OVATION

Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith was deeply moved and shared of the special bond, and sense of covenant and brotherhood, with Israel and the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama both being indigenous peoples called to steward sacred lands.

Pictured: Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Larry Smith;

CHEROKEE GIFT TO ISRAEL

Protocol of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama included expressing honor by sharing a gift. This Native American blanket was presented to Israel by the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama and was a special gift for Israeli Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon.

Pictured (Left-to-Right): Deputy Representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, Seth Penn;

FRAMED LETTER FROM ISRAEL

Picture of the framed letter from Israel. On behalf of Israel, Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon expressed deep appreciation for the formal resolution and gratitude for the friendship and support of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama.

THE TESTIMONY OF SACRED LAND

Picture of the small thank you gift with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself - actual dirt from the Holy Land, from the very place along the Jordan River where the biblical account records Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the Exodus. It was from the very place the descendents of Abraham returned to the land of their patriarch, fulfilling the extraordinary promise from many centuries earlier.

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama Presentation - The Resolution (PDF)

THE LETTER FROM ISRAEL.

On behalf of Israel, Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon expressed deep appreciation for the formal resolution and gratitude for the friendship and support of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama Presentation - Letter from Israel (PDF)

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT

Optionally reference special highlight (click graphic or link below).

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
Recognizes Israel as a sovereign Jewish Nation and Jerusalem as its Eternal Undivided Capital