800.438.1601 | Cherokee-Nc.Com Our Past Is in Your Future. Theirs Was A
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The Cherokee Historical Association and Museum of the Cherokee Indian are Our Past Is In Your Future. Theirs was a history nearly lost. Just waiting proud members of Southern Highlands for you to discover it. Attractions. We recommend these other great attractions to our visitors. estled among the oak, fir, But unlike many great cultures of the ancient past, and flowered valleys – half shrouded theirs has not been relegated to the dusty catacombs, North Carolina Nin the blue mist that is the name- inside some forgotten vault of some forsaken museum Biltmore Estate - Chimney Rock Park - Grandfather sake of the Blue Ridge and Great of antiquities. Quite the contrary, they are one of the Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - Nantahala Smoky Mountains – is a culture few Native American tribes to still occupy their Outdoor Center - Old Salem - Tweetsie Railroad whose history reaches back in an original homelands – the Qualla Boundary – and they Tennessee unbroken chain to a time when invented a written language without being literate Rock City - Gatlinburg Sky Lift - Lookout Mountain even the great pyramids of Egypt in any language beforehand. Such bravery, foresight, Incline Railway - The Lost Sea - Ruby Falls had yet to rise out of the African tenacity, and intelligence has resulted in the vibrant Virginia sands. Theirs is a culture whose Cherokee culture of today. A culture that thrives amid Barter Theatre - Luray Caverns - Natural Bridge legends of the creation were common the demands of modern existence while honoring, knowledge among even their youngest preserving, and, in some cases, resurrecting tribe members, a thousand generations before the aeons-old traditions. first Aztec calendar was chiseled into stone. They were a thoughtful people who established Today the 100-square-mile sovereign nation of democracy and equality many centuries Cherokee welcomes visitors, researchers, artisans, before Jefferson penned the and heads of state equally to enjoy their legendary Declaration of Independence. hospitality, living culture, rich tradition of art, A people so attuned to their and ancient history. Such warmth and openness natural environment and the spirits is just an extension of the silver thread of their plants that their medicine of harmonious coexistence that stretches men had a cure for every known back to the days of glaciers and ailment, millennia before the discovery the mastodon, and reaches of penicillin. This great people were forward into a future the Cherokee – Ani-kituhwa-gi that can only be as they called themselves – and imagined – or perhaps they reigned supreme over the anticipated – by their southeastern mountains of the North American continent legends and prophecies. for over 11,000 years. A people so proud that even great armies could not force them from their homeland among the streams and forests of what is called today Western 800.438.1601 | cherokee-nc.com North Carolina. “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Inc. P.O. Box 460 P.O. 800.438.1601 cherokee-nc.com Cherokee, NC 28719 Cherokee Travel and Tourism Cherokee Travel War club o truly understand a people, you need to see the world Cherokee Voices Festival June 13 culture through the “Cherokee Experience.” Cherokees prevailed against through their eyes. At the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, The best of living history demonstrations, traditional Customize your experience to include climates much harsher than ours and about game animals Tcelebrating its 60th anniversary this year, you will be dance, including the Warriors of AniKituhwa, flute music, storytelling, Cherokee history that outweighed their spear-throwing hunters by 80 to treated to such an experience. You’ll be amazed at how storytelling, gospel music in English and Cherokee. This and culture, music and dance, one. You’ll hear about the origins of Cherokee medicine this glorious sweep of days gone can be so magnificent event is free to the public and is sponsored by the North nature walks, Hands-On and the sacred festivals still observed today. and engaging at the same time. Carolina Arts Council. crafts workshops, lectures by You can even give the centuries old butter scholars, Cherokee Heritage Enter and be transported through 11,000 years of history, bean game your best shot. Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration Trails tours, traditional Cherokee including the most extensive collection of September 18-19 Through legend, myth, archaeology, oral Indian dinner and more. Cherokee artifacts in the world, state-of- A celebration of the unique cultures, arts, history, interpretive exhibits, and unrivaled the-art interactive displays, artist series ceremonies, dance, regalia, and language of many Thirteen Moons: Removal Translation collections of Cherokee artifacts and archives, and award-winning permanent and traveling Civilized Tribes, including Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, “Thirteen Moons: Removal,” Charles Frazier’s (bestselling author the museum makes this great, true story live and breathe. exhibits. All of which will spark the Seminole and Choctaw tribes that attended in 2008. of “Cold Mountain”) novel about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Starting with Cherokee creation legends and proceeding imagination and inspire the soul. Indians, is the first work of literature in the English language to all the way through the Trail of Tears and the establish- Cherokee History and Culture Institute for Educators be translated into the Cherokee dialect in 175 years. The book You’ll begin by hearing ancient ment of today’s Cherokee nation, you’ll learn how a July 13-18 was translated by Myrtle Driver Johnson, the only living member Cherokee myths in the Story resourceful people made its way through ten millennia of Spend six intensive days learning about Cherokee of the Beloved Women of Cherokee – the highest Lodge, like how the water beetle challenge and change. archaeology, anthropology, history, folklore, honor a Cherokee woman can receive. Dayunisi brought up mud from and geography. Level II Seminar August 3-8. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is definitely a museum An audio book is now available online. Effigy figure under water to form the earth with a difference. In this Museum, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Language Immersion Course July 20-31 and how the great buzzard shaped the Great Smoky Cherokee Indians present themselves and their history Speak the basics in two weeks! Taught by Bo Taylor, Mountains with his wings. As you travel chrono- to you from a firsthand point of view. museum archivist, and Cherokee elders. logically, you’ll learn how the ancestors of today’s Other Experiences Offered by the Museum: Hands-On Opportunities The Museum sponsors a wide range Season: Open 7 days/week • Closed Thanksgiving, The Warriors of AniKituhwa Christmas and New Year’s Day of open-to-the-public events, See this dance group, designated Summer Hours: (June–August) 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. programs, and classes (please visit cherokee- Mon.–Sat., 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sun. official Cherokee cultural museum.org or call 828.497.3481 for more Winter Hours: (September–May) 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ambassadors, re-create the thrilling Mon.–Sun. Admission: Adults 14+, $9; Children 6–13, information, schedules, and to arrange your War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance described $6; 5 and under Free. Group Rates Available participation). by Lt. Henry Timberlake in 1762. Location: Intersection of Tsali Blvd. and Drama Road Phone: 828.497.3481 | cherokeemuseum.org Shell gorgets For schedule information, visit us at Groups: Cherokee Experience cherokeemuseum.org. In addition to touring the museum, your 800.438.1601 | cherokee-nc.com group can delve more deeply into Cherokee Museum Store Peace pipe, 1762 he Village you’re about to enter is more than a place. and crafts. Audiences • “Hands-On Cherokee” pottery experiential learning classes It is also a time: 1759. The best way to get there is will have a chance to are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., basketry Tto untether yourself from the world you know. participate in council classes are also offered on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.; Sit under the trees, breathe the pure mountain air. meetings and diplomacy cost is $35 per person and participants must be thirteen years The faint tang of wood smoke wafts by on the decisions. Visitors will thrill of age or older (ticket price includes self-guided tour All Day breeze. Follow it. Embrace it at your own pace. to the sights and sounds of In fact, spirit abounds everywhere in the Village. Pass). Children will enjoy the all new “Pottery for Kids.” traditional Cherokee dancing in In the seven-sided Council House, you gather where the The class is for children age twelve and under and teaches As you step into the Village square grounds. sacred fire burns and the seven clans convene to discuss and basic pinch-pottery techniques. Kids can make their own the Oconaluftee vote on Village matters. On the square grounds, authentic one-of-a-kind piece of Cherokee art to take home. Kids Indian Village, This year for the first time, Cherokee drumming, song, and traditional classes are offered Monday through Saturday at 2 p.m.; you’re transported visitors will be able to dance performances will put you under cost $5. All classes begin for the season on June 1. back to witness the challenges take self-guided tours to explore the their spell. In the botanical gardens, of Cherokee life at a time of authentic working Village with • Children can rent traditional Cherokee attire for your senses will revel in the textures rapid cultural change. The villagers outfitted $15 per day plus deposit, available 7 days a week. and aromas from the herb garden and Village reopens on May 1 to in authentic 1750s Jewelry, pretend weaponry, and other accessories are the 16,000+ native and cultivated host new live reenactments, clothing.