Oral History Interview with Martha "Momfeather" Erickson

Partial Transcript: "Tells us a little bit about how you learned about your Native American heritage?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather describes her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky. Her grandmother was a medicine woman, and her family held many Native ceremonies and practiced Native traditions often. Her grandmother's family came to Kentucky from Tennessee during the Trail of Tears. Her grandmother was taken from her family during the middle of the night by two traders.Those traders sexually abused her grandmother and she became pregnant from the assault. She continues to tell stories about her family's heritage.

Partial Transcript: "How did you become connected to your Native roots?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather describes that the Cherokee people are matriarchal. She discusses the aspects of clans; how they work, and how you can marry in or out of a certain clan. She expresses that she learned how to cook, how to make soap, and learned many stories, ceremonies, and traditions from her grandmother.

Partial Transcript: "Who do you see as the keepers of your traditions and culture?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather states that she and her family do a lot of the teachings of her culture. She teaches at the Mantle Rock Native Education & Cultural Center in Marion, Ky. She states that they bring in other tribal representatives to the center, so people may learn about specific traditions from their practitioners.

Partial Transcript: "So how is traditional knowledge passed on today?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather states that the center is very instrumental in passing on the traditional knowledge of the Cherokee culture. She wants to pass down the traditional knowledge free from the fear experienced by previous generations.

Partial Transcript: "How do you feel about that need for documentation to be seen as Native?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather does not see the need for documentation to identify as Cherokee. She states that when one is satisfied with themselves, that is when they know who they are and that brings their spirit to life.

Partial Transcript: "Who do you try to pass these traditions on to?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather passes the traditions to her own family and the center. She visits universities to teach others about her culture, and she will share these traditions with anyone who will listen.

Partial Transcript: "What kind of difficulties do Native American people here in Kentucky face - in either finding their roots or trying to perform traditional ceremonies?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather believes that it is hard to find the right groups of people to teach you the things that you need - people that you can trust. She wants the prejudices against Native people to stop, and wants to see Native populations to grow. She states the Native people have to band together.

Partial Transcript: "Do you think it is difficult with all the pressures put on us from today's work to follow Native traditions?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather believes that following traditions does not interfere with work and school, because it is separate from those things.

Partial Transcript: "You have served on the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, is there anything you would like to say about that Commission?"

Segment Synopsis: Momfeather believes that the Commission is as strong as they make it. They have to have support, so they can grow and have more outreach into the state.

Partial Transcript: "Any other words of wisdom you would like to share with folks who want to find their own Native heritage and a connection to those traditions?"