TO THE READERS OF THIS BOOK; I wrote this short story for my daughters 1974 Christmas present. It has taken approximately two years to research in order to find these records recorded. There are four things I wish to add. They are the family tree from my four grandparents, their children and grandchildren; (2) a letter from Albert Pike asking Chief John Ross to be in alliance to the Confederate States of America; (3) a Confederate discharge paper of Gritts in the Cooweeskowee group; (4) and the seven clans of the United Keetoowah Society. Chief John Ross I should like to include the seven clans of the United Keetoowah Society. In our society, water is medicine and the Eternal Fire is a sacred light that burns forever. When medicine is used or made, the Cherokee name and the Clan membership name are used. A Cherokee must speak his language in order to become a member and to become more fully aware of the functions of the society. The seven Clans are: the clan of my father, Ani-Wa-Ya (Wolf); the clan of my mother, me, and my daughter, Ani-Saha-n or Ah-Nee-Sa-Hon-Nee (Blue); Ani-Kawi; ANi-Tsi-Skwa (bird); Ani-Wa-Di (Paint); Ani-Ga-Tage-Wi; and the Ani-Gi-La-Hi. Another small item that I would like to include is that Mary Guess was listed in Starr's "Old Cherokee Families" as the great-granddaughter of Sequoyah. Her parents were George Guess and his wife Girty. George's father was Tessey Guess who was the son of Sequoyah. (Starr page 366) Mary Guess is my mother's grandmother who married Charley Dirteater and their daughter Belle, is my grandmother. (Sequoyah was born about 1770 and died about August 1843. Someday I will tell my grandchildren the stories my grandmother told me, just as my mother tells my daughter stories of the past while they lie in bed at nights before they go to sleep. Prior to this re-print there were only ten copies of this book made. One belongs to Lisa Christine; two are registered at the Copy-Right Office; National Archives in Washington, D.C.; and one at the Oklahoma Historical Society; and one to the Cherokee Tribal Attorney, Earl Boyd Pierce. I hope this will someday be beneficial to future generations and that my child will always be proud of her Indian Heritage and culture. Closing with warm regards, Mrs. Mary Ann Eslinger
About the Author: Gi-Dee-Thlo-Ah-Ee, You belong to two different societies, two different religions and two different worlds, that of the white man from your father and that of the Indian world. As you grow older and wiser you will choose that which is best for you and your children, a decision only you can make, will you choose to follow the path of the white man or will you decide to make a difference in this world and help your tribe as you are destined to be the change, will you be the wave of action that becomes an unstoppable force, the one who makes the difference that breaks the cycle of destruction the white man has put in motion? Gi-Dee-Thlo-Ah-Ee only you can decide what you will do with this gift you have been given, Choose and be happy. with warm regards, Mrs. Mary Ann Eslinger __________________________________ Mother, Today my name is Lisa, I choose both. I choose to live in gratitude and forgiveness, my gifts are faith and contribution. I am life, strength, and love. I live passionately to serve the greater good of all, to make a difference in the lives of others. Each day I awake I search for new ways to be a pleasure in the sight of God so that he may continue to bless me. With Love and Gratitude, Lisa Christine Christiansen