The Cherokees are a matriarchal society. An individual's clan is decided based upon the mother's clan. My family's clan, unfortunately, has been lost to time. The last Cherokee woman in our lineage was my great-great-great grandmother. Records of clans are not kept, so we will never know for sure. Because of this, I have an affinity towards the clans and will always wonder which we belonged to.

The following is each clan's responsibility and role:
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​1. Deer - Great runners, trackers, and hunters
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2. Wolf - Warriors, where chiefs came from
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3. Wild Potato - Farmers, protectors of Earth 
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4. Paint - Make red paint for war, Shaman and Medicine Men
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5. Blue - Keeper of special blue medicine for kids
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6. Long Hair - Storytellers, teachers, protect traditions
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7. Bird - Care for birds, messengers
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