Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in partnership with Cherokee Central Schools, Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts, and the Western Carolina University Cherokee Center, will use grant funds for a traveling exhibition, Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future: Viewing Cherokee History through the Lens of Culture. Its primary focus is educational, both in content and selected venues. An overview of tribal history is presented through text, historic photographs, and images of cultural objects, with exhibit headers translated into Cherokee. The story is presented on 15 interpretive panels mounted on five kiosks and is planned as a turnkey project that includes research, design, and fabrication, as well as transportation, installation, and removal at ten venues. A key goal of the project is to bring arts and culture to the everyday lives of the community and to raise awareness of cultural traditions.