Cherokee Blog

Generations of Cherokee artists are represented at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, the nation’s oldest Native American Cooperative that preserves and promotes the traditional arts and crafts of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. While the shop is open year round, the annual Open Air Indian Art Market provides visitors an opportunity to meet many Cherokee artists who are members of Qualla Arts and Crafts, and watch them create their masterpieces.

Though the sport of Lacrosse came from stickball, there many big differences between the two games. For one, Cherokee stickball players do not wear any sort of padding or protective equipment. They don’t even wear shirts. Stickball is not a game for the faint of heart. Learn all about how the game is played by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians today in North Carolina.

Free fishing and family fun in beautiful Cherokee, NC? Sounds like a blast! It’s no wonder thousands of people from around the country come to these mountains for the annual Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby, a free fishing event for children.

Dancers, drummers, and singers from many Native American nations came together again this year to share their talents and cultures at the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ 43rd Annual 4th of July Powwow. Hundreds of competitors of all ages, from Tiny Tots (five and under) to the Golden Age (55 and older), danced alongside enrolled tribal members from across the Americas. Cherokee photographer Kristy Herron photographed the Powwow again this year. She shared some of her favorites with us. We love these shots, and hope you do, too!

If you’ve attended any major cultural events in Cherokee, NC, such as the Powwow or Cherokee Voices Festival, it’s likely you’ve been in the presence of Miss Cherokee. “My title is Goodwill Ambassador so I travel and represent the tribe, along Council or outside of Council, and I promote good will for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” says Faith Long, Miss Cherokee 2017.