Author: Tammie L. Evans

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13:

The beginning of the 19th century saw a "second great awakening" (1820-1840) beginning with the Reverend Charles Finney in New York. This influenced more people to serve in the missionary field. Although some historians have a negative outlook regarding the Anglo impact to Indian tribes, there were also some social benefits that helped the Cherokee as well. The impact the missions played in Arkansas and later in Oklahoma was significant. The Cherokee actually were already "civilized" in many ways by inter-marriage and enculturation before their push into the Arkansas territory. They were farmers, and some even owned their own slaves. The impact from interaction with Anglo culture was not always beneficial to the Cherokee. However, the Dwight Mission did serve as safe haven for Cherokee children from the violence of the disgruntled Osage. The Mission also gave children an education as well as job skills to provide support for their families in an Anglicized society. The success of Dwight Mission became obvious during its brief time in Arkansas (1820-1828), and this success was more apparent after its move to Oklahoma and by its presence there today. This paper will discuss the efforts by the missionaries to develop a successful mission for the Cherokee in Arkansas and Oklahoma, how the mission was able to re-establish in Oklahoma and stay successful over such a long period of time, and the difficulties the missionaries faced over the years.