Cherokee society

The white government was in power primarily beginning with spring planting season and maintained control over domestic affairs.

In the fall, which was considered the time of war, duties then generally fell on the red government.

This organization made the decisions that guided the tribe during their times of peace, including domestic issues and ceremonies.

The Council House was the center of government for each town; it had seven sides, which provided the same number of sections, so that each clan had a place for its representatives within the governmental structure.

[8] Cherokees are traditionally a matrilineal kinship society, in which property and social status have historically descended through the women's line.

[citation needed] In 1808 the people created the Lighthorsemen as the chief law enforcement of the Nation, until they were reformed in 1817.

By 1825 the Lighthorseman were replaced by Marshals, Sheriffs and Constables to respond to a demand for more structured law enforcement along the European-American model.