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Cherokee Nation citizen and employee Nancy Rackliff balances herself over a creek while getting water for plants in the Cherokee Nation garden, located next to the Council House in Tahlequah, Okla. ROBERT STINSON/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
 
 




By DILLON TURMAN
Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation citizen Tony Harris and his wife Karra, are expert gardeners and plant and seed rescuers from Atlanta who recently assisted the tribe’s Natural Resource department by advancing the Nation’s abundance of heirloom plants. 

The two gardeners made their way from Georgia to Oklahoma on Feb. 6, bringing pre-grown plants ready for Oklahoma’s summer heat and winter cold.

“We have brought a few plants from our personal garden as well as the ones we have rescued,” said Karra. “We intend to bring more for next year.” 

Some of the plants the Harris couple brought were Hearts-a-bustin and witch hazel.

The couple said the plants they brought are plants from a trial-and-error run they hope stand up to Oklahoma’s record-setting heat temperatures and cold winters. They said they would bring more plants when more shade is added to the tribe’s garden, which is located next to the Council House.

Tony said he and his wife identify more than 450 species of plants a year, many that were used by Cherokees.

“The plant species have been used by the Cherokee people for uses such as medicine, food, weapons and hunting,” he said. 

Tony said he began gardening and rescuing seed and plants in Atlanta. Since becoming a Georgia National Plant Rescue Society member, he’s helped acquire thousands of rescued plants and seeds. He said he feels the rescues can bring a broad cultural immersion as well as an educational breakthrough for Cherokees interested in learning about their heritage and culture. 

“I feel that any talk about the seeds and the plants and what they were used for amongst elders or Cherokee people…is a great way to elaborate on culture,” he said. 

He also said the plants can bring opportunities for students and the younger demographic to learn about the usage of such plants used on the Trail of Tears. 

“Ginseng was very popular during the Trail of Tears. It was used as a pick-me-up, just as it is today.”
The Harris couple said they see the expansion of their seed and plant rescuing and what they have to offer to the tribe as a great way to consolidate education and culture. 

Dillon-turman@cherokee.org

918-207-4975