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Cherokee Heritage Resources

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the North Carolina state government, and several nonprofit organizations are working to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Cherokee through a variety of programs and initiatives.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation
The tribe’s official website provides information on tribal initiatives, community affairs and genealogy/tribal enrollment.

Cherokee Heritage Trails
Organized around the seven geographical hubs of the original Cherokee homeland, the Cherokee Heritage Trails wind through the southern Appalachians. Interpretive stops relate the story of the Cherokee people through stories, folk arts and historical information.

Cherokee Preservation Foundation
An organization dedicated to helping members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and neighboring communities preserve Cherokee culture, create jobs and other economic development opportunities and renew the environment in the Qualla Boundary and the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina in which the EBCI’s tribal lands are located. The Foundation provides funding and an extensive listing of other resources available for the preservation of Cherokee culture and expansion of economic opportunity.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian
The Museum’s extensive archives and collections are an important resource for scholars and researchers.

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
The state agency works to preserve history and culture and to recognize and promote the state’s cultural resources. Some of its main divisions are:

North Carolina Office of Archives and History
North Carolina Historical Commission
Western Office of Archives and History
North Carolina Arts Council
North Carolina State Library
NC Echo (Exploring Cultural Heritage Online)

Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR)
The Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources initiative is a multi-year grantmaking program whose purpose is to assist the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) as the tribe works to restore the traditional Cherokee balance between maintaining and using natural resources like river cane, white oak and clay.

Western Carolina University
In partnership with the Cherokee community, Western Carolina University offer students and scholars a wide range of academic and support services. The University operates the Western Carolina University-Cherokee Center which serves tribal and non-tribal residents of Cherokee, NC and surrounding communities.