The Museum of the Cherokee People

The Museum of the Cherokee People 75 years of preserving & perpetuating the history, culture & stories of the Cherokee people. Box Office Ext 1003
Museum Store Ext 1000

06/01/2026

Thanks to KPEP (Kituwah Preservation and Education Program) for these Cherokee Words of the Month for June. Click on the QR Code to hear pronunciations by Elnora Thompson.

On Monday, June 1, listen to Cherokee history and stories from Kathi Littlejohn (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) in th...
05/29/2026

On Monday, June 1, listen to Cherokee history and stories from Kathi Littlejohn (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) in the Museum's TJ Holland Education Room.

A perfect accompaniment to MotCP's current exhibition 'Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution,' Kathi's talk will delve into Cherokee people in 1776. This program is free of charge and open to all.

Visiting the exhibit before Kathi's talk? As a reminder, last tickets of the day are sold at 4pm to ensure you have plenty of time to take in the Museum's offerings. Admission is always free for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes and Museum members.

The TJ Holland Education Room can be accessed from the Education Wing side of the Museum (glass doors facing Tsali Blvd. and Cherokee Historical Association's offices).

๐Ÿ“ธ: Detail shot, 'Then and Now: Wrapped in Survival,' 2026. Laura Walkingstick (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, b. 1968). Cornhusks, cloth, wool, glass beads, leather, ribbon, wood, stone, acrylic paint, acrylic yarn, thread, tin cones, moss, synthetic doll hair, pink eye shadow. Now on view in 'Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution' at Museum of the Cherokee People, Cherokee, NC.

โ€œHow long have we as a people been sitting around visitingโ€”listening to our eldersโ€”teaching usโ€”making pottery? That thou...
05/28/2026

โ€œHow long have we as a people been sitting around visitingโ€”listening to our eldersโ€”teaching usโ€”making pottery? That thought of deep time and connection, it gets to me if I think about it too much.โ€

โ€”Jacob Long (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)

Cherokee ceramic traditions endure in the work of the 2026 Didanisisgi Gadagwatli (Mud Daubers) pottery cohort. Be among the first to see pottery that these talented students have made using ancestral methods during their intensive three-month workshop at the Museum!

แ—แ“แ‚แแแŽฉ แŽฆแ“แ†แŸ Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop at the Museum of the Cherokee People opens Friday, June 5. A community reception will be held at MotCP at 6pm.

Featured Artists:

Davy Arch (EBCI)
Marcus Bradley (EBCI)
Samantha Bradley (EBCI)
John Dugan (EBCI)
Selena Herrerra (EBCI)
Danica Hill (EBCI)
Jenean Hornbuckle (EBCI, Cherokee Nation)
Kevin Jackson (EBCI)
Akeisha Littlejohn (EBCI)
Jacob Long (EBCI)
Ryleigh (แŽ แ‚ แŽฆแ…แŽฏแ“) Long (EBCI)
Tara McCoy (EBCI)
Isabella "แŽคแŽญแŽธแ‚" Myers-Tasevoli (EBCI)
Katrina "แชแŒ" Neff (EBCI)
Karla "Phyll" Smith Reed (EBCI)
Kimberly Reed (EBCI)
Frieda Saylor (EBCI)
Laura Smith (EBCI)
Kevin Tafoya (EBCI, Santa Clara Pueblo)
Trista Welch (EBCI)

๐Ÿ“ธ: 'Kananesgi Pipe,' 2026. Kiln-fired clay with wooden stem. Jacob Long (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, b. 1998). JL2026.01.

Museum of the Cherokee People's Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists celebrated the graduation of New Kituwah Academy's ...
05/28/2026

Museum of the Cherokee People's Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists celebrated the graduation of New Kituwah Academy's pre-K class today!

As cultural ambassadors of the Museum, the Atsila Anotasgi team lead weekly programming at the immersion school.

Congratuations, graduates!

This Memorial Day, we honor members of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please join us in...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor members of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please join us in remembering citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians killed in action, including:

World War I: Steve Youngdeer (U.S. Army), Joe Kalonaheskie (U.S. Army)

World War II: Boyd Catt (U.S. Army), Jacob Cornsilk (U.S. Army), Adam West Driver (U.S. Marine Corps), James R. Lambert (U.S. Army), Samuel William Otter (U.S. Navy), Blaine Queen (U.S. Army), Mark Rattler (U.S. Marine Corps), Isaac Ross (U.S. Army), Joshua Shell (U.S. Army), Sheridan Smith (U.S. Marine Corps), Vernon George Sneed (U.S. Army), William Taylor (U.S. Navy), Enos Thompson (U.S. Army), Jeremiah Toineeta (U.S. Army), Robert Austin Wahneeta (U.S. Marine Corps)

Korea: Charles Arch (U.S. Marine Corps), Charles George (U.S. Army, Medal of Honor recipient)

Vietnam: John Burgess (U.S. Army), John Edward Oocumma (U.S. Army)

โ€œFor those of us from the South, memory is inscribed on the landscape in countless ways that are so naturalized that the...
05/20/2026

โ€œFor those of us from the South, memory is inscribed on the landscape in countless ways that are so naturalized that they feel omnipresent," observes Brandon Dillard (Cherokee Nation), co-curator of ' Unrelenting: Cherokee People & the American Revolution.'

"Most people drive by roadside markers commemorating long-forgotten battles
every day. We pass statues in public squares, learn and work in buildings named after complicated and often fraught people, and we partake in rituals commemorating historical events. But how often do most people sit around and actually talk about those events?โ€

Join the conversation. As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 'Unrelenting' is our response.

Located in the heart of the Cultural District of Cherokee, North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains, Museum of the Cherokee People is open 9am-5pm daily (last ticket sold at 4pm). Admission is always free for members of federally recognized tribes and Museum members. 'Unrelenting' is included in a general admission ticket.

For five years, artist Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) has led an intensive pottery workshop at Museum of ...
05/18/2026

For five years, artist Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) has led an intensive pottery workshop at Museum of the Cherokee People.

McCoy launched her workshop upon noticing a decline in traditional Cherokee potterymaking. Since 2021, 51 emerging artists in our community have learned and passed on our Cherokee ceramic traditions, ensuring this vibrant artform endures in our tribal community.

Mark your calendar: it's time to celebrate the fifth cohort's success and admire their work at an opening reception for 'แ—แ“แ‚แแแŽฉ แŽฆแ“แ†แŸ Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop at the Museum of the Cherokee People!'

๐Ž๐ฉ๐ž๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‘๐ž๐œ๐ž๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง - ๐ƒ๐ข๐๐š๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐ข ๐†๐š๐๐š๐ ๐ฐ๐š๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข: ๐€ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐œ๐š๐ฌ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ฒ ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ ๐ƒ๐š๐ฎ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ ๐š๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐‚๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐จ๐ค๐ž๐ž ๐๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž
๐…๐ซ๐ข๐๐š๐ฒ, ๐‰๐ฎ๐ง๐ž ๐Ÿ“, ๐Ÿ”๐ฉ๐ฆ
๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐‚๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐จ๐ค๐ž๐ž ๐๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž
๐…๐ซ๐ž๐ž

โ€œThis piece is an expression of the time, energy, love, แŽฆแšแŽฉ, and protection of the Ani Fugee Usdiโ€”the refugee childrenโ€”m...
05/15/2026

โ€œThis piece is an expression of the time, energy, love, แŽฆแšแŽฉ, and protection of the Ani Fugee Usdiโ€”the refugee childrenโ€”my family and I support," shares artist Robert Lewis (Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Apache).

"As the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States comes to pass, we would be wise to remember that number is but a speck of sand in the desert compared to the Stories and Legacy of our People.

"In that vein, a commitment to traditional teachings and values defines us as who we are and, in so doing, continues to guide us on the often-perilous journey of what it is to be Cherokee and a US citizen.

My artโ€”my Storiesโ€”are greatly impacted by this sojourn, especially what it means to live แŽฆแšแŽฉโ€”Gadugiโ€”the coming together in all things in a nation thatโ€”right nowโ€”has chosen to vilify and cast out some of the most endangered, desperate, and innocent, all in the name of โ€˜The American Dream.โ€™โ€

A Cherokee National Treasure for Storytelling, Robert Lewis brings traditional knowledge to audiences across the globe, celebrating his own Cherokee, Navajo, and Apache heritage. From storytelling to cultural and art education, he is renown for his ability to be inclusive and accessible.

Designated a National Treasure in 2015, his excellence in art and culture solidified his role in communities as a charismatic and engaging educator. He has been featured on PBS, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and across the nation at universities, cultural organizations, corporations, and the US military.

He is the proud great nephew of Navajo Code Talker PFC Harry Tsosie, the first and only of the original Code Talkers to be killed in action. He is a major supporter of the Commemorative Air Force RISE ABOVE Squadron and enjoys working with the community to understand Indigenous roles in US history. โ€‹

Robert works diligently to reach all members of his audiences by utilizing American Sign Language, sensory friendly performances, as well as other welcoming and accessible approaches to share his stories.

๐Ÿ“ธ: "EVERY Child Matters," 2026. Acrylic, canvas. Robert Edward Lewis (Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Apache, b. 1965). Now on view in 'Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution' at Museum of the Cherokee People, Cherokee, NC.

05/13/2026

When spring arrives in the North Carolina Smokies, Cherokee becomes one of the most rewarding mountain getaways of the season. Fresh green landscapes, flowing rivers, blooming wildflowers, and cool mountain air make this the perfect time to explore. Located at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains Na...

COMMUNITY CALL: On Wednesday, May 20, Museum of the Cherokee People is partnering with filmmaker Adrian Davis (Eastern B...
05/12/2026

COMMUNITY CALL: On Wednesday, May 20, Museum of the Cherokee People is partnering with filmmaker Adrian Davis (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) to collect home video and audio recordings documenting everyday life in Cherokee.

Adrian, a student at UNC Asheville, is gathering material for his documentary โ€œโ€ฆAnd Then We Spoke,โ€ a film showcasing Cherokee life, culture, and tradition through oral traditions and everyday storytelling.

Home mediaโ€”videos and audio youโ€™ve recorded on your smartphone, digital camera, or camcorder, or other deviceโ€”showcases how we tell stories through modern technology. With your help, weโ€™ll demonstrate how we live with older traditions and contemporary American culture.

Participants are invited to donate their materials (originals or digital copies) to Museum of the Cherokee Peopleโ€™s collections, ensuring easy access for themselves and their families. โ€œMotCPโ€™s goal is to house audiovisual materials from our community that are underrepresented within our collection,โ€ says MotCP Director of Collections and Exhibitions Evan Mathis.

To participate:
- Bring your digital files (on a flash drive) or physical media (DVD, VHS, CD, etc.) to Museum of the Cherokee Peopleโ€™s Education Wing lobby on Wednesday, May 20 from 9am-6pm.
- Adrian and MotCP collections staff will make digital copies and/or convert physical media and return it onsite.
- Participants will complete a film consent form.
- For those donating their materials, MotCP collections staff will assist with completing donor paperwork.

Address

589 Tsali Boulevard
Cherokee, NC
28719

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(828) 497-3481

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Museum of the Cherokee People posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category