Native American Heritage Month
Celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of America’s Indigenous peoples.
Each November, Native American Heritage Month invites us to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of America’s Indigenous peoples.
The Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have built a vibrant and successful tribal community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A perfect place to begin exploration of Cherokee heritage and traditions is the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by a 20-foot hand-carved statue of Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. For details, please visit mci.org.
Oconaluftee Indian Village
At the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, you can step inside the world of an 18th-century Cherokee village and see a dugout canoe under construction, pottery and baskets being crafted, and a blow gun demonstration. Tours are led by guides, many of them Cherokee High School students, whose interpretation of Cherokee culture is based on both scholarly research and oral tradition. Go to visitcherokeenc.com/play/attractions/oconaluftee-indian-village for details.
Qualla Arts and Crafts
Within Qualla’s airy and well-appointed space, you’ll find river cane, split oak, and honeysuckle vine baskets of Smithsonian quality, along with ceremonial masks, low-fired pottery, wood carvings, bead work, stone carving, and pipes for coming to peace with life in general and calling forth the abiding spirit of rivers and mountains. Visit www.quallaartsandcrafts.com for more information.
Explore and experience the ancient history and thriving culture of the Cherokee at visitcherokeenc.com.
