I didn't know who I was exactly. I didn't know where we started. You are Cherokee.

Your grandfather's fought and gave their lives to save Cherokee Nation.

My family history is riddled with federal policy, congressional actions, right? I mean,

I see it. It's a story that I tell.

I'm Jean-Demby.

I'm Shireen Marisol Maraji, and this is Code Switch.

From NPR.

Jean, the idea for this week's episode started here.

The Cherokee Nation has named a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time ever.

A 200-year-old treaty with the U.S. promises the Cherokee people a representative in Congress.

The Cherokee Nation would be allowed to appoint one member to the House of Representatives.

I remember this was being news like a year ago.

The fact that the Cherokee Nation was appointing for the first time ever a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Yes, and it was big news because it was a treaty right the Cherokee Nation had for more than 180 years.

Americans ought to know that just because it's been 180 years doesn't mean we've set back for 180 years.

It means we have been suppressed and ripped apart during most of that time.

That's the chief of Cherokee Nation, Chakrask and Junior.

Now as we gain our strength, now as we hit our stride, now as we look back at that document that ripped us apart,

marched our people across the United States.

Now you better believe it's a spring well of the land and we're here to make sure the United States upholds its end of the bargain.

When he says marched our people across the United States, is he talking about the trellis tears there?

He is. The document that Chief Hoskin says ripped the Cherokee Nation apart is the same document that grants Cherokees that representative in Washington.

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