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Museum Offers Programs, Workshops for Native American Heritage Month

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer free programs and special workshops to the public in November to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.  “We hope that people will come out to learn more about our culture, meet Cherokee people, and have fun,” said Bo Taylor, Executive Director.  All programs and workshops will be conducted by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized tribe that still lives on part of their ancestral homelands in the southern Appalachians.

Free programs include storytelling, arts and crafts demonstrations, and primitive skills desmonstrations.  All ages are welcome.  Every Friday afternoon from 1pm-2pm Jerry Wolfe, Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will tell stories in the Education Wing.  Every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, Cherokee Friends, who are cultural specialists, will talk with visitors, will demonstrate arts and crafts in the Museum Lobby and outside, and will share ancient skills, weather permitting.  These include making fire with bow drill and friction; the blowgun; the atlatl, and the chunkey game.

Workshops will include Cherokee traditional arts: pottery, flint knapping, dance and storytelling, places and legends, and ancient skills of making fire, throwing the atlatl, using the blowgun, playing the butterbean game and the chunkey game.  Instructors are all experienced in their art form and in working with the public, providing a unique opportunity for the public to interact with master Cherokee artists.

SCHEDULE:

Nov. 7, from 1-4 pm.       Flintknapping with Davy Arch, and Pottery with Bernadine George

Nov. 14, from 1-3 pm.     Flute, Storytelling, and Dance with the Cherokee Friends

Nov. 21, from 1-5 pm.     Cherokee Heritage Trails–Qualla Boundary and Blue Ridge Parkway Tours with Mike Littlejohn, certified trail guide

Nov. 28, from 1-4 pm      Ancient Skills: learn fire making, atlatl, blowgun, chunkey game with  Cherokee Friends

Workshop size is limited and participants should sign up in advance. Each workshop costs $20 for adults and $10 for children 6-13. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.  Museum members at the Friend level and above receive a 20% discount.  Members of EBCI are free with their EBCI card. To register, contact the Museum Store at 828 497-3481 x208.

Programs are supported by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian,  the North Carolina Arts Council, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. To learn more about programs, contact Ethan Clapsaddle, Program Specialist 828 497-3481 x300 or go to the museum Facebook page or website at www.cherokeemuseum.org.