Cherokee in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wild Potato Clan

Ani-Gatogewi

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2019

1. Wild Potato Clan Marker

Inscription. The wild potato refers to a native plant whose root is a good food source, also known as the Jerusalem artichoke. Some oral traditions say there were originally fourteen clans, including the Savannah and Wild Holly, whose members all became part of the Wild Potato Clan.

(Cherokee language translation)

Clan Facts: After the Trail of Tears in 1838, Yonaguska and Will Thomas organized several communities for the Cherokees remaining here. Some had the names of clans, but people from all different clans lived in them. They were: Birdtown, Paint town, and Wolftown. These are still townships today. One of the old towns lost in the Treaty of 1819 was named for the Deer Clan: Ani-Kawi or Cowee.

(Cherokee language translation)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 35° 29.152′ N, 83° 18.912′ W. Marker is in Cherokee, North Carolina, in Swain County. It is on Tsali Boulevard (U.S. 441) 0.1 miles north of Drama Road (County Highway 1361), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located beside the sidewalk,

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in front of a gift shop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 686 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee NC 28719, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains and specifically in the Great Smoky Mountains.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wolf Clan (a few steps from this marker); Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paint Clan (about 400 feet away); Museum of the Cherokee Indian (about 500 feet away); Sequoyah (about 500 feet away); Trail of Tears (about 500 feet away); Deer Clan (about 500 feet away);

Wild Potato Clan Marker (<i>wide view • gift shop in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2019

2. Wild Potato Clan Marker (wide view • gift shop in background)

Blue Clan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherokee.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Cherokee Clans

Also see . . . Wild Potato Clan (Wikipedia). The Anigatogewi's only subdivision was Blind Savannah, possibly a separate clan in origin. Historically, members of this clan were known to be "keepers of the land," and gatherers. The wild potato was a main staple of the traditional Cherokee life in the Southeast. (Submitted on June 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5,686 times since then and 393 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.