Tallige Cherokee Nation

The Auction on Our Sacred Indian Burial Grounds has been called off!!

               In negotiations between the Tallige Cherokee Nation and the Scioto County Commissioners, a compromise was made to save land held sacred by Native Americans.  The auction planned for May 4, 2000 of lands immediately adjacent to the Bird Effigy Mound and containing Indian Burials was cancelled. 

          The Bird Effigy Mound and associated burial grounds were declared a legal cemetery.   As such, they are now protected from ever being developed or disturbed.  Our sincerest thanks go to the Scioto County Commissions, Opal Spears (chair), Vernal G. Riffe III, and John Knauff, for their willingness to cooperate and preserve this valuable heritage site of our Native American Ancestors.  

          This is the second historical precedent performed by the Scioto County Commissioners.  The first was in 1987 when the Scioto County Commissioners dedicated the Kalanu Native American Cemetery and returned the remains of 47 of our ancestors to us for reburial.

          The Scioto County Commissioners have again shown their friendship to all Native Americans by agreeing to work with us to establish oversight committee to protect the Sacred Grounds in perpetuity.  In doing so, they have also preserved a historical pioneer cemetery that is found on these ancient grounds.

           We also thank all those who voiced their opinion regarding the pending auction.  Wado!

          The work is not over, but only just beginning.  We look forward to working with the Scioto County Commissioners to establish a foundation that will hold this land in trust for future generations.

We still need your contributions to insure this land will be protected!  

The Tallige Cherokee Nation