--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact…" description: "\"As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact that Native Americans have been on the losing side of history. Our rights have been infringed upon, our treatie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69f/markwayne-mullin-18815_cherokee_as-a-cherokee-i-can-attest-to-the-fact-t_3189363.jpg" --- # As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact that Native… ![“As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact that Native Americans have been on the losing side of history. Our rights have been infringed upon, our treaties have been broken, our culture has been stolen, and our tribes have been decimated at the hands of our own United States government.” quote by Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69f/markwayne-mullin-18815_cherokee_as-a-cherokee-i-can-attest-to-the-fact-t_3189363.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69f/markwayne-mullin-18815_cherokee_as-a-cherokee-i-can-attest-to-the-fact-t_3189363.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69f/markwayne-mullin-18815_cherokee_as-a-cherokee-i-can-attest-to-the-fact-t_3189363.jpg) > “As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact that Native Americans have been on the losing side of history. Our rights have been infringed upon, our treaties have been broken, our culture has been stolen, and our tribes have been decimated at the hands of our own United States government.” [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Native Americans face systemic oppression through broken treaties, cultural theft, and tribal destruction by the US government **In simple terms:** Indigenous peoples suffer ongoing injustice Key Takeaway Advocate for tribal rights and reparations Themes justice rights colonialism culture history Mood determined empathetic Type political activist When to use this quote - policy reform - education curricula - legal advocacy - community rebuilding Key Concepts treaty violations cultural erasure tribal sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - How can allies effectively support Indigenous sovereignty? - What steps restore cultural heritage? A Different Perspective Complex history may be oversimplified without nuance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cherokee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherokee/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Indians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indians/) [Native americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-americans/) ## Related quotes > [“Angry white men are on the losing side of history, which is poised to roll over them like a demographic steamroller. Theirs is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-s-kimmel/angry-white-men-are-on-the-losing-side-of-history-which-is-poised-to/) [Michael S. Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-s-kimmel/) > [One of the sad realities today is that very few people, especially young people, read books. Unless we can find imaginative ways of addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/one-of-the-sad-realities-today-is-that-very-few-people-especially/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [“Grant Foreman, the leading authority on Indian removal, estimates that during confinement in the stockade or on the march westward four thousand Cherokees died.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/grant-foreman-the-leading-authority-on-indian-removal-estimates-that/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [ Long accustomed to the use of European manufactures, \[the Cherokee Indians\] are as incapable of returning to their habits of skinsand furs as we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/long-accustomed-to-the-use-of-european-manufactures-the-cherokee/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You can't have all chiefs, you've got to have Indians too](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/american-proverb/you-can-t-have-all-chiefs-you-ve-got-to-have-indians-too/) American Proverb > [“As of 2015 only a dozen of the then 567 federally recognized tribal nations recognize same-sex marriage...Other tribes, however, have explicitly restricted same-sex marriage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-haulani-kauanui/as-of-2015-only-a-dozen-of-the-then-567-federally-recognized-tribal/) J. Kēhaulani Kauanui > [“It was never the poverty that deterred me, never the disease, unsanitary conditions, bugs or garbage, those things were never even a thought in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/little-white-bird/it-was-never-the-poverty-that-deterred-me-never-the-disease/) Little White Bird > [“When I was fifteen, a companion and I, on a dare, went into the mound one day just at sunset. We saw some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/when-i-was-fifteen-a-companion-and-i-on-a-dare-went-into-the-mound/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“The white men in the East are like birds. They are hatching out their eggs every year, and there is not room enough in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-crook/the-white-men-in-the-east-are-like-birds-they-are-hatching-out-their/) [George Crook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-crook/) > [If you look at the statistics regarding Native Americans, you will see that most of the tribes since the 70s have improved their economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-peltier/if-you-look-at-the-statistics-regarding-native-americans-you-will-see/) [Leonard Peltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-peltier/) > [When a white army battles Indians and wins, it is called a great victory, but if they lose it is called a massacre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiksika/when-a-white-army-battles-indians-and-wins-it-is-called-a-great/) Chiksika > [“In 1924, Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship, and the federal government considered it a national duty to “civilize” them,13 including Alaska Natives. Education…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-shearer/in-1924-native-americans-were-granted-u-s-citizenship-and-the-federal/) Christine Shearer > [“No matter how thoroughly Native Americans acculturated, they could not succeed in white society. Whites would not let them. "Indians were always regarded as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-w-loewen/no-matter-how-thoroughly-native-americans-acculturated-they-could-not/) [James W. Loewen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-w-loewen/) > [“... in an even wilder part of the river's jungle of cane and gum and pin oak, there is an Indian mound. Aboriginal, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/in-an-even-wilder-part-of-the-river-s-jungle-of-cane-and-gum-and-pin/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [One of the first things people think of when they think of Native Americans is reservations. We didn't have any idea what that was.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-sampson/one-of-the-first-things-people-think-of-when-they-think-of-native/) [Kelvin Sampson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-sampson/) ## More by Markwayne Mullin > [You've got to quit judging people just because they have an 'R' or a 'D' in front of their name. We don't do that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/you-ve-got-to-quit-judging-people-just-because-they-have-an-r-or-a-d/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [I'm paying more taxes inside my company and personally than I'll ever receive from Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/i-m-paying-more-taxes-inside-my-company-and-personally-than-i-ll-ever/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [Oklahoma has a respect for our neighbors. That's the Oklahoma standard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/oklahoma-has-a-respect-for-our-neighbors-that-s-the-oklahoma-standard/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [Apparently it's acceptable for members of Congress to own stock in companies we regulate in Congress, but somehow, our plumbing company crosses some line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/apparently-it-s-acceptable-for-members-of-congress-to-own-stock-in/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [The fundamentals that founded our great nation included the freedom of speech and religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/the-fundamentals-that-founded-our-great-nation-included-the-freedom/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [I know if you get mad, and in a world with all the competitors I've been around in my life, either from fighting or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/i-know-if-you-get-mad-and-in-a-world-with-all-the-competitors-i-ve/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the average American family of four will receive a $1,182 tax cut. Imagine what you could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/under-the-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-the-average-american-family-of-four/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [My wife is the most loving person that you can ever imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/my-wife-is-the-most-loving-person-that-you-can-ever-imagine/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [In an imperfect world, full of imperfect leaders, there are countless statues that may not live up to our American values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/in-an-imperfect-world-full-of-imperfect-leaders-there-are-countless/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [The last thing we want is to make people think we're going back on our word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/the-last-thing-we-want-is-to-make-people-think-we-re-going-back-on/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [America is - and will always be - a success story. We have African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and members of other ethnic groups…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/america-is-and-will-always-be-a-success-story-we-have-african/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [You live this life being selfish, you're not going to enjoy it like you will when you open your heart and your home up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/you-live-this-life-being-selfish-you-re-not-going-to-enjoy-it-like/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [You can't have oil without oil spills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/you-can-t-have-oil-without-oil-spills/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [Without question, I'm not a fan of the EPA. The EPA has overstepped their boundaries each and every day. They get into areas they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/without-question-i-m-not-a-fan-of-the-epa-the-epa-has-overstepped/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) > [As an American, you have the right to protest me or another individual or a group, but I believe that protesting the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markwayne-mullin/as-an-american-you-have-the-right-to-protest-me-or-another-individual/) [Markwayne Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) [Explore all 34 Markwayne Mullin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markwayne-mullin/) ## More Cherokee quotes > [Lt. Carson: My grandmother was a full-bodied Cherokee Indian. Lili: How exciting. Lt. Carson: It was for my grandfather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lt-carson-my-grandmother-was-a-full-bodied-cherokee-indian-lili-how/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/everything-an-indian-does-is-in-a-circle-and-that-is-because-the/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [“I come from a family of Cherokee master storytellers. Listening to stories, reading them, and creating new tales is my life. These tales reveal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-ann-barton/i-come-from-a-family-of-cherokee-master-storytellers-listening-to/) Louise Ann Barton > [Give me strength, not to be better than my enemies, but to defeat my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself. Give me strength for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-strength-not-to-be-better-than-my-enemies-but-to-defeat-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Negative thoughts were treated by Cherokee healers with the same medicines as wounds, headaches, or physical illness. It was believed that unchecked negative thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/negative-thoughts-were-treated-by-cherokee-healers-with-the-same/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [“Cherokee's American, Ned. It don't get more American than that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-d-estleman/cherokee-s-american-ned-it-don-t-get-more-american-than-that/) [Loren D. Estleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-d-estleman/) > [Recorded engine sounds, however, are a deliberate deception. They're like going to a concert and listening to a recording. On the other hand, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-schmemann/recorded-engine-sounds-however-are-a-deliberate-deception-they-re/) [Serge Schmemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-schmemann/) > [A significant number of people believe tribal people still live and dress as they did 300 years ago. During my tenure as principal chief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/a-significant-number-of-people-believe-tribal-people-still-live-and/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [I'm just another non-native whose mom told him we were part-Cherokee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-m-just-another-non-native-whose-mom-told-him-we-were-part-cherokee/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [My father was one-eighth Cherokee indian and my mother was quarter-blood Cherokee. I never got far enough in arithmetic to figure out how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/my-father-was-one-eighth-cherokee-indian-and-my-mother-was-quarter/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [My name is Mankiller, and in the old Cherokee Nation, when we lived here in the Southeast, we lived in semi-autonomous villages, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/my-name-is-mankiller-and-in-the-old-cherokee-nation-when-we-lived/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [ \[last words\] What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crowfoot/last-words-what-is-life-it-is-the-flash-of-a-firefly-in-the-night/) [Crowfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crowfoot/) > [What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the winter time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crowfoot/what-is-life-it-is-the-flash-of-a-firefly-in-the-night-it-is-the-2/) [Crowfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crowfoot/) > [I'm Irish and Cherokee Indian. I can't faint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-collins/i-m-irish-and-cherokee-indian-i-can-t-faint/) [Lynn Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-collins/) > [Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/individually-and-collectively-cherokee-people-possess-an/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) [Browse all 56 Cherokee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherokee/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a Cherokee, I can attest to the fact that Native Americans have been on the losing side of history. 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