Smokies
Little Tennessee River
The Little Tennessee River, which can be accessed on foot from the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Franklin, North Carolina, is one of just a handful of major rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains to have escaped dam construction and development. Consequently, it has retained most of its native fish and is home to some rare species.
Read more about Little Tennessee RiverUnto These Hills Outdoor Drama
For over 50 years, Cherokee players have performed Unto These Hills, the second longest running outdoor drama in the United States. Under the stars on summer nights, the story of the Cherokee in North Carolina unfolds in dazzling sights and sounds.
Read more about Unto These Hills Outdoor DramaStecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, located near Robbinsville, North Carolina, offers a variety of programs that preserve and promote Southern Appalachian culture.
The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is housed in the old Stecoah School building, which was built of native rock with the skill and labor of local community members. The school and its students were photographed on the dedication day ceremony in 1926. That panoramic photograph is now reproduced in an 18' long mural overlooking the historic auditorium.
Read more about Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts CenterQualla Arts and Crafts
Cherokee Crafts in the Western North Carolina Mountains
Visitors to Cherokee, North Carolina will find top-quality, handmade Cherokee crafts made by traditional artists at the Qualla Arts and Crafts gallery. Baskets, pottery, woodcarving, bead work, jewelry, masks, dolls, and other items of Cherokee traditional art are offered for sale, and photos of the artists at work are displayed in the exhibit room.
Read more about Qualla Arts and CraftsAmanda Swimmer
Potter
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Amanda Swimmer, one of the best-known potters in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, still hand-builds and fires pots in the traditional manner. She smooths them with river stones, and impresses designs on them with wooden paddles and sea shells. After drying the pieces in the sun, she fires them in an open pit.
Read more about Amanda SwimmerEddie Swimmer
Dancer, Storyteller, Public Speaker
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Eddie Swimmer is an accomplished dancer, storyteller, and public speaker. His programs include dance, storytelling, plant lore, and explorations of stereotypes. He performs a number of Native American dances including the Apache Spirit Dance, Iroquois dance, Cherokee traditional dances, and Northwest coastal dances. Raised in the Big Cove Community on the Qualla Boundary, Eddie Swimmer first learned dancing from his family. By watching traditional dancers, he learned Cherokee dance steps.
Read more about Eddie SwimmerJames "Bo" Taylor
Cherokee dancer and storyteller
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
James "Bo" Taylor's programs include Cherokee dancing, powwow dancing, dance songs, and discussion of Cherokee history, culture, and stereotypes. He is pictured here wearing regalia of a powwow grass dancer. He adapts his presentations to audiences of all ages and sizes, and always encourages them to participate in dancing and discussion. Taylor also teaches Cherokee language in intensive ten-day immersion classes.
Read more about James "Bo" TaylorShirley Taylor
Basketmaker
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Shirley Taylor makes white oak baskets dyed with walnut and bloodroot. She can also demonstrate basketmaking and teach hands-on classes.
Born and raised in Big Cove, Shirley Taylor graduated from Cherokee High School and continues to live on the Qualla Boundary, where she owns and manages a motel. She learned basketry from her mother-in- law, well-known basket maker Emma Taylor, and has practiced basket making for the past fifteen years. Her grandchildren are now learning to make baskets from her.
Read more about Shirley TaylorThe Trantham Family
Oldtime musicians
Waynesville, NC (Haywood County)
One of the region's best-known family bands, the Trantham Family of Haywood County includes three generations of prominent oldtime musicians. Jim Trantham has been performing traditional music and building dulcimers, banjos, guitars, and other instruments for decades. His Haywood County childhood was filled with music, both in church and in his family. Now he is the patriarch of this prominent family of musicians. He has also served as the music director of various churches over the course of nearly three decades. His son Doug is a lifelong musician.
Read more about The Trantham FamilyWarriors of AniKituhwa
Cherokee, Music and Dance
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
The Warriors of AniKituhwa are revitalizing Cherokee dance by recreating the War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance as described in 1762. They are painted red and wear clothing and jewelry that are accurate reproductions of 18th century Cherokee styles. Their program includes the War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance along with a discussion of the significance of these dances. They perform Cherokee social dances and include the audience. They also participate in 18th century reenactments.
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