Smokies
Annie Lee Bryson
Cornhusk crafter
Jackson County, NC
During her youth in Jackson County, Annie Lee Bryson learned a variety of crafting skills from her mother, including sewing, quilting, and crocheting. But it was during World War II, while working for the National Youth Administration program and enrolled in a class taught by fellow Jackson County native Mrs. Frances Nicholson, that she learned the art that would most catch her fancy. Under Nicholson's tutelage, Bryson and her classmates learned how to make dolls, hats, mats, and even sandals, out of cornhusks.
Read more about Annie Lee BrysonJean Bushyhead
Cherokee language expert
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Jean Bushyhead provides Cherokee language resource materials for the classroom and information on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' tribal language program in the schools. Although she did not grow up speaking the language, Jean worked extensively with her father, Robert Bushyhead, to document the grammar and pronunciation of the Cherokee language and to create a series of lessons for use in the Cherokee schools.
Read more about Jean BushyheadR. Eddie Bushyhead
Cherokee flutemaker, musician, language specialist
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Eddie Bushyhead is a musician who makes and plays the rivercane flute, a traditional instrument among the Cherokee. He entertains large and small audiences of all ages with traditional flute music and contemporary "Rez Music". Eddie Bushyhead can also speak about the Cherokee language and about language preservation efforts in the Cherokee community.
Read more about R. Eddie BushyheadWalker Calhoun
Cherokee singer, dancer, banjo player
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Walker Calhoun, respected Cherokee elder, sang the traditional sacred dance songs of the Cherokee, and played an important role in maintaining and passing on these traditions to the next generation. In his later years, he led two traditional dance groups that accompanied him to performances, The Raven Rock Dancers and the Warriors of AniKituhwa. Walker Calhoun also demonstrated how to make the Cherokee blowgun from river cane and how to make blowgun darts from wild thistle.
Read more about Walker CalhounGary Carden
Storyteller
Sylva, NC (Jackson County)
"The first stories that I heard weren't at a storytelling festival," writes Gary Carden, "nor were the storytellers on a stage duded out in overalls and bandanas. When I was a child, I heard stories at family reunions, funerals, and weddings. Nobody got paid either. I remember two ‘old maid' aunts who told stories together, one giving half a sentence and the other one finishing it. Stories were usually personal, possibly even wild stories about the deceased at a funeral, or perhaps a legendary relative."
Read more about Gary CardenCherokee Heritage Trails Tour Guides
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
The Cherokee Heritage Trails project directs visitors to sites that are significant in Cherokee history and culture in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Museums, village sites, places of myth and legend, and events featuring Cherokee people are all identified in the Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook and website.
Read more about Cherokee Heritage Trails Tour GuidesCherokee Potters Guild
Cherokee potters
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
The Cherokee Potters Guild is dedicated to preserving, teaching, and researching traditional Cherokee stamped pottery. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has the longest continuing pottery tradition on their own land of any tribe in the United States, going back three thousand years. Members of the guild do demonstrations, exhibit their work, and teach hands-on workshops.
Read more about Cherokee Potters GuildG. C. Collins
Fiddler
Webster, NC (Jackson County)
G. C. Collins grew up in Jackson County, near where he lives today. At the age of twelve, he took up playing the fiddle. His father was a fiddler whose playing inspired both G. C. and G. C.'s sister Darlene—now Darlene Hodges—to learn the instrument. He taught them many of the standard chestnuts of oldtime and bluegrass music, like "Down Yonder" and "Soldier's Joy." The three played as a family band, with Darlene then on guitar.
Read more about G. C. CollinsBill Crowe
Cherokee woodcarver and musician
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Bill Crowe comes from a family of talented, traditional carvers. He carves masks and other traditional pieces, makes and drums, and can talk about Cherokee history. He also plays the traditional flute, and is willing to perform at weddings and other events.
Read more about Bill CroweVirgil Crowe
Cherokee woodcarver
Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)
Virgil Crowe demonstrates woodcarving. His work includes dance and ceremonial masks, clan masks, and bird and animal figures. Virgil Crowe can also answer questions about the cultural significance of the masks.
Read more about Virgil Crowe
