Oral History Interview with Darla Jackson

Partial Transcript: "Tell us a little bit about yourself."

Segment Synopsis: Jackson explains that she is a life-long resident of Harlan County, Kentucky, where she is an artist and a teaching artist. She is an Appalachian Native American Dancer, and she teaches Appalachian Native American dance in schools. Her family is Cherokee. She always knew she had Native American heritage, and her grandparents were very proud of that heritage.

Keywords: art; dance

Subjects: Cherokee Indians; Harlan County (Ky.); Native Americans

Partial Transcript: "Today, how do you as a Native American person make connections with your Native American roots?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that she and her husband decided to live as traditionally as possible. They did a lot of research into their family heritage, and into the culture.

Partial Transcript: "How do you maintain those connections with your cultural roots today?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that she lives in the mountains. They are able to farm. Her father is able to make tools, and arts and crafts. They are very in-touch with nature, and that is important for Native Americans.

Subjects: Heritage; Native American

Partial Transcript: "When your grandparents moved to Kentucky from Tennessee, did they move to the same area you live in today?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that the area her grandparents moved to during the Civil War, is very close to where she is living today.

Subjects: Civil War

Partial Transcript: "Can you describe what it was like growing up?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson describes what life was like growing up at Straight Creek. She loved growing up with her grandparents. Her grandparents influenced her with the pride they held for their Cherokee heritage. Her grandfather was never ashamed or ever tried to hide their heritage. She remembers the gardening, harvesting, and the preperation of the different types of food. Her grandmother could also make different types of medicines from natural substances.

Keywords: medicine

Partial Transcript: "How was coal mining perceived in your family?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson stated that coal mining was perceived as the enemy to her family. Although, she married into a coal mining family. She said that she believes coal mining and deep mining is okay, but she cannot support mountain top removal or strip mining because she witnessed first hand the destruction that type of mining can do to a community.

Partial Transcript: "On your Native American side, how are traditions passed down?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that tradition is passed down through generations of family members. Jackson hopes that she is passing on a sense of pride about Native American heritage. She hopes that she is also teaching children the importance of sustainability.

Keywords: Sustainability

Partial Transcript: "With the busy schedules of work and school, do you find it hard to keep up with the Native American traditions?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that it is hard to keep up with the traditions and ceremonies of the Cherokee tribe with the business of modern life. Jackson states that you do not have to have an official ceremony to celebrate. She states that sometimes the best way to commemorate something is spending time in nature.

Keywords: ceremonies

Partial Transcript: "What are your thoughts on documentation and blood quantums?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that either you are or you are not Native American. She states that if you have even a drop of Native blood, you have a right to celebrate that heritage. On the other hand, she states that a certain amount of documentation is necessary because false claims of Native American heritage have been exploited.

Keywords: ancestory; heritage

Partial Transcript: "Have you ever found yourself discriminated against because of your heritage?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson believes that she has been discriminated against because she physically looks traditionally Native American. She states that others have confused her as having Latin or Polynesian heritage. She believes that people stereotype her a lot, and have called her Pocahontas.

Partial Transcript: "You currently sit on the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, describe how that has been for you?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson states that this has been a wonderful experience. It makes her happy to know that Kentucky is supporting its Native people. She takes this position very seriously, and has been serving for three years. Jackson states that the best event she has been involved in was the Native American Day in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Keywords: Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission

Partial Transcript: "Is there anything else you would like to share with the individuals listening to this interview?"

Segment Synopsis: Jackson wants to let people know that Native Americans are present in many communities throughout Kentucky and the nation, despite any information telling you otherwise.