About Western North carolina

The Cherokee are proud craftspeople whose unique artistry conveys a personal link to their ancestors dating back over 10,000 years. Blocks of wood are shaped into ceremonial masks, stones are carved to tell legends, and strands of river cane are woven into beautiful baskets. Cherokee crafts are displayed in the Smithsonian and have graced tables in the White House. In demand throughout the world, some are already priceless, while others grow in value each year. There are about 500 Cherokee craftspeople whose products are sold through the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual and other stores by the Reservation. The new Harrah's Cherokee Resort Hotel is fully decorated with Cherokee Indian art. Each mural, painting, and other art was created by a Cherokee Indian on the reservation. Today, as in generations past, each item is handcrafted with great pride. How to Make Cherokee Clothing by Donald Sizemore. A comprehensive volume of detailed instructions and illustrations on how to make Cherokee clothing, head dresses, hair styles, and ornaments for both men and women. Methods of cutting and piercing the ears, the use of body paint and tattooing, as well as sources for project materials and supplies are given. The Fly Fisherman's Guide to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by H. Lea Lawrence. Filled with a wealth of information about the park and all a sportsman needs to know to fish it successfully. Provides expert advice for beginners and veterans alike. Trail of Tears : The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation

by John Ehle. From the Publisher: The fascinating portrayal of the Cherokee nation, filled with Native American legend, lore, and religion -- a gripping American drama of power, politics, betrayal, and ambition.

The Cherokee People : The Story of the Cherokees from Earliest Origins to Contemporary Times: In carefully researched and documented text and vivid, detailed drawings, the author of The Mystic Warrior of the Plains depicts the Cherokees' ancient culture and lifestyle, their government, dress, and family life. Mails chronicles the fundamentals of vital Cherokee spiritual beliefs and practices, their powerful rituals, and their joyful festivals, as well as the story of the gradual encroachment that all but destroyed their civilization. When the Night Bird Sings: In a charming collection of tiny essays, Cherokee writer Hifler captures the earth-based wisdom of her people and of the Christian tradition, as well. Each short piece, the length of one of her syndicated newspaper columns, reflects on an incident or a memory, then extracts a moral, though rarely moralistic, meaning from it. Planting beans leads to reflection on the continuing story of creation; gazing in a mirror elicits reflections on the mysteries of the body; a memory of mother love spurs meditation on the maternal spirit in all life. Hifler's prose has a deeply rooted sensuousness that transcends region, culture, and religion to express a generous human spirit and a soulful approach to life's joys and tribulations. Patricia Monaghan. Walking on the Wind: Cherokee Teachings for Healing through ...Traditional Cherokee teachings passed down by author Michael Garrett's great-grandfather instruct us that all things are connected, have purpose, and are worthy of respect and reverence. Through stories of the Sacred Fire, the Talking Circle, the Giveaway, and Community, these stories counsel us to keep our feet on Mother Earth, our eyes and minds above the tree tops, and our spirit with the Great Universal Spirit. Truly Awesome, November 4, 2000 Reviewer: A reader from NC. This is a wonderful book! I fell into it immediately. It's written in a manner that is informal and very easy to understand. It took me from tears of joy on one page to laughing out loud on another. This book has helped me to heal, to face fears, to become more balanced, and to look at things from a different perspective... and for that I am forever grateful. I highly recommend it! Cherokee Dance : Ceremonial Dances & Dance Regalia by Donald Sizemore. This book is great! It has descriptions of costumes of dances which will help me with my dance ceremonies. Medicine of the Cherokee: The Way of Right Relationship: "We have much yet to learn from the plants about taking care of our health; from the animals about survival; and from the birds about our spirit freedom." This is the attitude of eager openness toward nature that imbues Medicine of the Cherokee. If you thought that Native American wisdom was dead and gone, father and son Garrett will happily change your mind. They present the "medicine" of the Cherokee through easily accessible virtues, principles, and folktales that illuminate the intertwined basis of our relationships with nature and with each other. Music from a Painted Cave: Music from a Painted Cave is the live concert recording from the like-named PBS television special. Here, composer, flautist, and vocalist Robert Mirabal joins up with the soulfully skilled band he calls the Rare Tribal Mob. Together, they move into an exciting musical territory where traditional native music seamlessly fuses with tasteful acoustic rock. Mirabal and the Mob perform just over an hour of music, including both new songs and reinterpretations of older favorites such as "Medicine Man" and "Painted Caves," both of which appear on the stellar Taos Tales. Cello, guitars, bass, and percussion weave a solid, challenging, and engaging web in which Mirabal's deceptively simple songs grow particularly powerful. Innovative and magical, Music from a Painted Cave invites the listener to engage in a sonic celebration of native culture. --Paige La Grone. And Still the Waters Run: It paints a clear picture of the Native American betrayals, October 1, 1999 Reviewer: A reader from Stillwater, OK. Angie really tells it like it was. She uncovered all of the horrible truths from the basement of the Interior. This book tells all about what they wouldn't teach in school, and the government cover-ups. I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the truth. Spirit: A Journey In Dance, Drums, and Song (Video): Weaving Native American mythology, music, dance, and rituals into a stage presentation augmented for television and home video, Spirit: A Journey in Dance, Drums, and Song suggests a New World counterpart to Riverdance, aimed at the same audience that made Bill Whelan's Celtic extravaganza a programming staple for PBS fund drives and a perennial seller in music and home video. Both projects also share substantial links to New Age music and mysticism. Buffett, who has focused on such a fusion in prior music, video, and multimedia projects, uses his core ensemble of synthesizers and conventional rhythm section to provide orchestral drama and sweep to the largely minor-keyed score. Native American flutes, percussion, and chant provide the music's evocative sense of identity, while Chief Hawk Pope's narration underlines the production's yearning for a simpler age of harmony with nature, while framing the dance sequences with various tribal legends. As directed and choreographed by Wayne Cilento, the pieces pointedly begin with an "Urban Overture" in which members of the troupe, dressed in suits, evoke the regimentation and discord of the modern world, punctuated with chirping cell phones, car horns, and mechanical rhythms. Gradually, group and lead dancers loosen up both visually and stylistically to convey more fluid movement. In addition to those members combining ballet and jazz movements with elements of tribal dance, Cilento employs vividly costumed Native American dancers, much as Buffett strategically deploys costumed native musicians and chorus. Extensive use of montage allows natural symbols and scenes to be grafted over the stage-bound elements of the 75-minute performance. Ethnomusicologists may regard this as something of a pastiche, but that's probably the point--Spirit is designed as a romantic, pan-tribal evocation of the continent's pre-European culture and beliefs. By Peter Buffet. Imagine Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon with a Native American motif and you have a fair gauge of Peter Buffett's intentions on Spirit, a live recording of a 1998 stage production involving more than 80 drummers, dancers, and musicians. (Originally aired on public television, Spirit is now on video.) Most of Buffett's keyboard-driven, percussion-fueled compositions are live renderings of works from his intriguing 1997 release, Spirit Dance, his most recent ode to Native culture. The energized live setting (at times involving a female youth choir, Native American singers, Native American flutist Robert Mirabal, and, impressively, guitarist Peter Maunu) serves Buffett's atmospheric work well as it traces a theme of personal transformation guided by Native spirits. Spirit may not fully match the sustained sensory impact of Pink Floyd's opus, but it offers several riveting moments--the percussion-heavy reworking of "Firedance," his brief contribution to Kevin Costner's film Dances with Wolves, the exultant "Passage," and a lost gem from Buffett's catalog, the plaintive, piano-based "New West." --Terry Wood. The Cherokee Sacred Calendar: A Handbook of the Ancient Native American Tradition by Raven Hail: Raven Hail, an elder of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, divulges the secret Cherokee system of astrology in The Cherokee Sacred Calendar. With an easy-to-use chart and graph, readers are able to decipher which of 20 "day" signs he or she may be (Flint, Eagle, Deer, Redbird, etc.), which, like more familiar forms of astrology, describe the characteristics of an individual's personality. Also, each day has one of 13 numbers associated with it to further describe the individual. In explaining the Sacred Venus Calendar of Natal Days, the author offers insightful and amusing information concerning the whole pantheon of Cherokee cosmology. Wondrous beliefs abound, such as that every sentient being--whether rock, turtle, or tree--is the reflection of a star and that The People came from the Pleiades. The beauty and wisdom contained in this fascinating resource of indigenous tradition are undeniable. --P. Randall Cohan. Best of the Smoky Mountains: The Smoky Mountains offers not only the best in attractions, shopping, and great dining experiences, it is filled with enchantment and fun for every age group. Fly fishing and trout fishing are popular sports in the Smokies and whitewater rafting and tubing down cool mountain rivers is exhilarating. Walking and hiking are favorite ways for many people to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wildflowers, cascading streams, the scent of evergreens, and the sounds of birds are best seen and experienced along the 800 miles of trails here.

Cherokee News: The Cherokee Observer - The self-proclaimed only independent and original online Cherokee newspaper offers a wide range of feature articles, as well as a language companion, Cherokee laws and issues, council contact information and searchable archives. Elder's Society of the Cherokee Nation - In an effort to encourage unity amongst Cherokee people, the hosts of this site provide a public forum, a chat room, genealogical information and a series of maps. Researching Native Americans (Cherokee) in Tennessee. A special section of the State Library and Archives $1 Million Grant to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, North Carolina. Federal Government announces grant to boost tourism. Cherokee Territory: Bordered on the North by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the reservation today boasts of development uncommon on Indian lands throughout the United States. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy with about seventy-five percent of the tribe's revenues . . . Eastern Band to Ask for Tax Exemption: Leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians may ask state legislators to exempt tribal members from paying state and local sales taxes.

CHEROKEE TRIBAL ENROLLMENT AND GENEALOGY RESEARCH: The following information is presented to assist in answering the most commonly asked questions about genealogy research. TRIBAL ENROLLMENT: Many people want to know about becoming a Tribal Member based on a relative being Cherokee or of Cherokee descent. Enrollment in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is governed by tribal ordinance #284 dated June 24, 1996 and restricts enrollment to the following: Direct lineal ancestor must appear on the 1924 Baker Roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. (Note: The Baker Roll is the base roll of the Eastern Cherokee and contains the name, birth date, Eastern Cherokee Blood quantum and roll number of the base enrollees. Blood Quantum: Must possess at least 1/16th degree of Eastern Cherokee blood

All criteria must be met in order to be eligible with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Enrollment is CLOSED to all people who cannot meet the above requirements. GENEALOGY: This is a very complex subject because the Cherokee Nation once encompassed parts of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, western West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina, northern Alabama, northwestern South Carolina and northern Georgia. The issue is further complicated by the infamous removal of the Cherokee to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s. During the 1800s and 1900s, there was much intermarrying between Cherokee and non-Indian settlers which makes the genealogy research process even more difficult. Some Cherokee desired to retain their Native American lineage and others did not. The US Government conducted several censuses of the Cherokee both on a pre and post-removal basis. These rolls are printed in two publications called Cherokee Roots Vol. 1 (Eastern Cherokee) and Vol. 2 (Western Cherokee). They can be purchased from Cherokee Roots, P.O. Box 525, Cherokee, NC 28719. Vol. 1 costs $15.00 and Vol. 2 is $22.00. Both books can be purchased for $30.00. The company also has a research service available on a cost basis. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has nearly 12,000 enrolled members and the Western Cherokee's rolls contain over 170,000 names. While some genealogy records exist for the tribal members, it is nearly impossible to trace genealogy based on a single name which does not appear as part of tribal records. The following provide genealogy services and/or research assistance: Cherokee Roots (address/phone# listed above), Cherokee Qualla Public Library, Acquoni Rd, Cherokee NC 28719 (The library provides Tribal Enrollment records on microfilm. This service is free of charge and must be conducted on site. A name and date of birth is needed. The library staff is available to provide limited assistance. Open 8am - 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday), The Museum of The Cherokee Indian, P.O. Box 1599, Cherokee, NC 28719, on site service available only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is available by appointment only, 828-497-3481. We also suggest another web site loaded with research and genealogy connections: www.nativeweb.org

Genealogical and historic research assistance is also offered by James P. Myers, Jr. He will conduct roll searches and in-depth research if desired. Mail address: P.O. Box 682, Cherokee, NC 28719. Phone: 828-497-5662. While we understand and appreciate the desire of many, many people to conduct genealogy research, the tribe simply doesn't have the resources to provide extensive research on an individual.

Legend of the Cherokee Indians:

A Cherokee Christmas

Bear Legend - In the long ago time, there was a Cherokee Clan called the Ani-Tsaguhi, and in one family of this clan was a boy who used to leave home and be gone all day in the mountains.

Brown Mountain Lights, The - reported as far back as 1200 by the Cherokee, recorded in 1771 by a German engineer, investigated twice by the US Geological Survey, these lights are one of the most famous of North Carolina legends.

The Cherokee Legend of How We Got Fire - Long ago the Cherokee people lived in a dark world. They had no Sun or Moon or light of any kind. It was so dark that the animals, birds, and insects kept bumping into each other.

Cherokee Legends - retold by Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian children.

Cherokee Legends - a variety of legends.

Cherokee Stories and Legends - This host invites you to explore the history of the Cherokee Indian through legends and stories.

Legend of the Cherokee Rose - When the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were grieving and crying so much . . .

The Origin of the Strawberry (Cherokee Legend) - This short story is a Cherokee legend which explains the origin of the strawberry. It was proposed as a translation exercise in the Conlang list some time ago by someone who in turn got it from an unknown source.

Why the Bat has Wings - retold from a legend of the Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cherokee Indian Reservation?

Properly called the Qualla Boundary, the Reservation is slightly more than 56,000 acres held in trust by the federal government specifically for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Is Cherokee County the Same As the Reservation?

No. The Reservation and the county are entirely different. Cherokee County is located 60 miles southwest of the Reservation. There are other Cherokee counties in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, but they too have no connection with the Reservation.

What is the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians?

It is comprised of enrolled members, descended from the Cherokee who hid in the North Carolina mountains to avoid the forced removal known as the Trail of Tears. There are about 11,600 members, most of who live on the Reservation.

Can We Stay On the Reservation?

Cherokee is a complete vacation destination with 45 motels, 2 hotels, 84 cabins and 28 campgrounds with over 2,200 sites.

Where Are the Tipis?

Tipis (teepees) were designed for quick setup and take-down and were used by the Plains Indians who followed herds of game. The Cherokee never lived in tipis but resided in more permanent log cabin type homes.

What Is the Best Time to See Fall Color?

The color season actually lasts 4 to 5 weeks starting in early October at the higher elevations, through early to mid November at the lower elevations.

What Are the Fees to Drive On the Parkway and Enter the National Park?

There are no entrance fees for either Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Oconaluftee Indian Village: Your visit to Cherokee must include a visit to the Oconaluftee Indian Village, an authentic replica of an 18th century Cherokee community. Cherokee guides explain the history, culture and life style of their ancestors and answer questions as you pause to watch Cherokee artisans demonstrate their arts and crafts. You'll also see the replica of a 7-sided Council House and typical Cherokee homes as they were 250 years ago. The village is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, mid-May through late October. Group discounts are available. U.S. Highway 441 Cherokee, North Carolina.

Unto These Hills: Drama of the Cherokee Indian. This powerful outdoor drama, with a cast of 130, brings to life the tragic history of the Cherokee people. It begins with the arrival of Desoto in 1540 and builds to a stirring climax with the cruel removal of all but a remnant of the Cherokee on the infamous Trail of Tears. Set against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the beautiful outdoor theatre seats 2,800.For those who arrive early, the cast provides pre-show entertainment starting 40 minutes before show time. Tickets can be reserved by phone or purchased at the box office.

Oconaluftee Indian Village

Presented by the non-profit Cherokee Historical Association, the Oconaluftee Indian Village is a glimpse of the past. Here you will see the model of a Cherokee village from over 225 years ago!Deep Creek: Beautiful spot for tubing and sightseeing.

Deep Creek offers:

• Campground complete with showers

• Horse and tube rentals

• Public grills

• Hiking trails

• Juney Whank, Tom's Branch, and Indian Creek Falls are all within a 1 mile hike.

Mingo Falls

The Spectacular Mingo Falls located in Cherokee, NC are over 120 feet high and is rated one of the most impressive falls in Western North Carolina. The climb is steep with approximately 170 steps that take you about 2/10ths of a mile up, then a short easy trail provides access to the falls. The hike to these falls is rated moderate, but for people with heart or breathing problems it would be strenuous. From US 74, take exit 74, continue on US 441 north, for 5.2 miles. Turn right onto US 19 and continue 0.5 miles. Turn left at next traffic light in the direction of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (staying on US 441 N). Continue for 2.25 miles and turn right onto Big Cove Road. Continue for 5.25 miles. Turn right, straight ahead is a parking lot and trail.

Indian Creek Falls

Beautiful 25 foot high Indian Creek Falls is located about 1 mile from the parking area at Deep Creek in Bryson City, North Carolina. You will cross one bridge and just before you cross the second bridge turn right. Indian Creek Falls is located midway up the hill. This hike is easy at the beginning with a couple of small hills toward the end.

Tom's Branch Falls

Located approximately 3/10 from the Deep Creek parking area Tom's Branch Falls are about 80 feet high, but the true height of the falls are now hidden with foliage. This hike is very easy.

Juney Whank Falls

A 0.6 mile roundtrip hike. The trail starts near the end of Deep Creek Road near Deep Creek Campground. The hike to these falls though short in distance is fairly steep and would be considered easy/moderate for hikers in good health.

Appalachian Trail

This is a 2,160-mile foot trail along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in the central Maine wilderness to Springer Mountain in a designated wilderness area in north Georgia.