joyce's
journey Introduction
Gallery
1 Native
Americans
Gallery
2 Native Americans
Gallery
3 Native Americans
Gallery
4 Dragons, Dragons
Gallery
5 Christmas & more
The first 3 galleries
are dedicated to my Great Grandmother Simmons |
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When I was very young, my G.Grandmother Simmons, told
me that I was part Cherokee.She said " Be proud of your
Indian blood, for they are kind and gentle people." Her
stories were sad yet beautiful. As a child she was never aloud
to speak of her parents especially her father, who was a Cherokee
Indian. She told me her memories of him was a tenderness in his
voice and how he loved her mother. Her dream was to know more
about him, but due to illness and lack of information and money
she was never able to return to Tahlequah, the Cherokee Capital
in Oklahoma. |
This piece is called
'Amon' -The Bow'
He is holding 2 rabbit's furs
and a dancing fan to give to his sweetheart.
He has found a home |
I know that Grandfather was not a Chief. But I do believe that
he was an honorable man. I am sure that to his family he was
the Chief and so I shall think of him in this way. As Grandfathers
go I believe that he was very wise and full of stories for the
children . As my Grandmother said, he was full of love with gentle
ways. |
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She asked me, if I had a chance to find out
more about her father, she wanted me to do so. Many years went
by....until... one night, last year, I awoke from a dream and
rushed to the computer. After typing a few words I returned
to sleep. The next morning I returned to the computer and read
the words. This took me on a journey that I will never forget.
That day, I began sculpting my first Indian face. The first one
I made I gave to my best friend and the second, I gave to my
cousin. This piece was my 3rd. |
'Hiamovi' means
'High Chief'"
To be a good Leader you must
be a good Listener."
He lives with me. I call him
Grandfather
Here he is telling a story. |
Due to the interest in
pieces sold, I will take orders. They will still be one of a
kind though.
The size of the Indian pieces
are approx. 18" in circumference and weigh about 3-4 lbs. |
![](../5333/galleries1-5/Image6.gif) |
The faces kept coming and after several were done,
I told my husband that I needed to journey to Tahlequah, to complete
my Grandmothers quest.
G.G.Grandfather was one of the thousands who marched
in the 'Trail of Tears.' I wondered if he was on the Dawes rolls,
for when the Indians reached Oklahoma the government took down
their names. I found out that many Indians who's names were not
on the Dawes rolls were not entitled to land or anything else. |
'Fire Walker'
He's a great scout and brave
hunter.
The night before the hunt he
would dance with fire sticks.
He has found his soul mate |
The Trail of Tears
was made up of 5 civilized Tribes which numbered approx..
60,000
They were Chocktaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Cherokee and
Seminole.
Gallery 2 |
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Looking through the rolls I found no trace of
him. I called my father and he set up a visit with other members
of our family that I had not seen for over 25 years. They live
in Oklahoma. That is when I found out why Grandfather was not
mentioned in the Dawes rolls. 'In 1838-1839, the time of the
'Trail of Tears'. Thousands of Cherokee and several other tribes
we removed from their home land and marched to what is now called
the Cherokee Nation. Over three thousand plus , died during this
forced march. Grandfather along with his sister were in that
march. Somewhere towards the end of the march a soldier raped
Grandfather's sister. He killed the soldier. |
'Echota'.
I believe he was a good friend
of my Grandfather's.
Looking for a home |