11/16/2026

Morning Announcements

Morning Meeting Agenda

Mon · Social Studies Tue · Literacy Wed · Science Thu · Math Fri · ROAR + Houses
November is Native American Heritage Month
Social Studies of the Day

Whose land are we standing on?

Long before Chattanooga had that name, this land was home to the Cherokee people. Their story didn’t end — the Cherokee Nation is still here today, with its own government, schools, and language.

Portrait of Chief John Ross

Meet Chief John Ross! He was a Cherokee leader who lived right here where downtown Chattanooga is now. That spot was called Ross’s Landing — named after him!

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The very first people to live right here were Native Americans. In our area, they were the Cherokee people. They fished in our river and knew every plant and animal here.

Long ago → still here Today

Cherokee people lived here long ago — and they are still here now!

Let’s talk
  • What do you think this place looked like a very long time ago?
  • The Cherokee knew every plant and animal here. What animals live around Chattanooga today?
  • Why is it important to know who lived somewhere first?
Reveal a Cherokee wordHide the word
In Cherokee, hello is “osiyo” (oh-see-YOH). Let’s all try saying it together!
Try it

Say hello a new way! Turn to a partner and greet them with “Osiyo!” Now say it again with a friendly wave. You just spoke Cherokee!

Portrait of Chief John Ross

Meet Chief John Ross — Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation for nearly 40 years. He lived and traded at what became Ross’s Landing, the site of downtown Chattanooga. He fought removal in the courts, in Congress, and in the newspapers.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Cherokee homeland covered parts of what are now Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Cherokee history in our region For centuries Cherokee towns, farms, and government here 1838 Forced to leave on the Trail of Tears from Ross’s Landing Today Three Cherokee nations, hundreds of thousands of citizens

A long history — and a present, not just a past.

In 1838, the U.S. government forced the Cherokee to leave their homeland and walk over a thousand miles to Oklahoma. Thousands died on the journey now called the Trail of Tears. Many left from right here.

Let’s talk
  • Chief John Ross fought the removal in court and actually won — but it happened anyway. What does that tell you about the difference between a law and what people choose to do?
  • Why does it matter that we say Cherokee people are here, not just were here?
  • Many places near us have Cherokee names. Why do you think those names stayed?
Reveal the answersHide the answers
The Supreme Court ruled in the Cherokee Nation’s favor in Worcester v. Georgia (1832), but the removal proceeded anyway — a hard lesson that rights need people willing to enforce them. Today there are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes and more than 570 federally recognized tribal nations across the U.S. Nearby Cherokee place names include Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Tennessee itself, and Chickamauga. The names remained even when the people were forced out.
Try it

Place-name detective! With a partner, list every place name around Chattanooga you think might come from a Native language. We’ll check which ones are right — you may be surprised how many.

Additional Notes/Activities

If additional activities are needed for the Morning Meeting, they will be added here.