This area consists of the beautiful sandy dunes that the area has been so famous for the past many years. The sandy land was the area where the best-known medication was manufactured. The sandy domes were also excellent places for the Native Americans burial grounds for their loved ones as they passed on. The dunes were first identified as comfortable easy lookouts.

Some of the newcomers to the area believe that they have become a part of the sand dunes and they too realize that this very possibly could be the final resting place for many.

Many of the Native American burial grounds in the area are not identified. Identification of the plots was not in the minds of the Natives when time for burial was necessary.

There was a lady in the store a few weeks ago concerned about a grave that was in fact marked and was being disturbed. She was wanting advice on what was required in this situation. I suggested that a title research might reveal the location of these burial grounds, since most of the inactive burial grounds are listed in County records.

I know that my oldest brother told me many times that he wouldn’t pass on the exact location of many Indian graves that were unmarked, because he was afraid that the graves would be disturbed.

The area is now becoming so thickly populated with developments that it is highly possible that somewhere along the way these burial sites will be disturbed.

The plains tribes were very active about two miles to the west and to the north of Cross Roads on the large sandy hills that run a length to the Black Jack area. This area is most attractive and an excellent place to build a fine home on a winding trail up the side of this large sand dune.

When we were kids growing up, when we mentioned that we were from Aubrey, we were laughed at for being from the sand dunes. I remember the folks in the Little Elm community made remarks when a west Texas dust storm blew in, they would say, "look out everybody because the great sand dunes from Aubrey are flying by." Some of the folks actually believed that Aubrey was going by.

So look out newcomers, the sand dunes may start going by and shifting. I think that soil conservation has played a large part in stopping the sand from blowing away with terraces and sodding the land with bermuda grass within the past 50 years.

On April 17, The Cherokee Heritage Day celebration is coming up. It will be a great opportunity for us to get acquainted with other Cherokees. There will be Cherokees traveling from all parts of the country to attend this celebration.

In the most recent newsletter from the Chief of the Texas Cherokee tribe, he explains that different federal and state governmental agencies have a problem in recognizing the tribe in Texas because they don’t seem to know who we are. The Chief rather curtly says that he has never had a problem telling people who he is, because he is a Cherokee native and knows it. He has no problem with the fact that we are Indians.

If the Chief D.L. Hicks is here for the Heritage Day, it would be well worth your time to make it around and visit with him. You will be very happy to meet such an intellectual warrior of the United State Military.

Chief Hicks refers to me as "Old Man." So this week, I am showing you a photo of the other "Old Man," Chief D.L. Hicks.