CHEROKEE, NC, March 31, 2003—The Cherokee Preservation announced today that it has awarded 28 new grants totaling nearly $500,000 that community and other non-profit groups associated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the surrounding region will use in connection with cultural preservation, economic development, job creation and environmental preservation endeavors. The grants are the outcome of the first of the Foundation’s two grant cycles in 2003.
The grants will help fund projects, plans and capacity-expansion efforts that range from using Geographic Information System mapping software that will locate river cane for Cherokee crafts people… to conducting a feasibility study concerning the possible establishment of a Native American Arts Institute on Qualla Boundary…to reducing the high school drop-out rate in Cherokee schools.
“We are pleased to see that community groups are increasingly identifying partners who share their goals and complement their skills before they submit grant applications to the Cherokee Preservation Foundation,” said Susan Jenkins, Executive Director. “Successful community building depends on public dialogue and involvement, collaboration, cultivating new leaders and focusing on the next generation, and our grantees are clearly paying attention to these proven fundamentals.”
What the New Grantees Will Do with Their Grants
Cultural Preservation Grants
Big Y Community Club, Cherokee, $10,000, to develop a comprehensive plan and blueprint for the razing of the old Big Y Community building and the construction of a new community center.
Birdtown Community Club Center, Cherokee, $20,000, to hire an architect/engineer to develop a comprehensive plan for the Birdtown community center.
Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc. (CSA), Sylva, $4,074.36, to engage youth and the Cherokee people in developing a cultural-based summer camp program for creative writing and speech development. CSA has formed partnerships with the Cherokee Youth Center, Qualla Public Library, Heartbeat Journeys Radio Program, the Cherokee Historical Association, EBCI Cultural Resources, Early Childhood Cherokee Language Program and various Cherokee artists and storytellers.
Cherokee Center for Family Services, Cherokee, $10,278, for Cherokee Challenge youth and staff to participate in the annual National Indian Youth Leadership Camp, hosted by Project Venture in New Mexico.
Cherokee Church of the Nazarene, Cherokee, $17,808, to complete restoration of the culturally rich Big Cove community school building.
Cherokee Historical Association, Cherokee, $20,000, to partner with Cherokee Tribal Travel and Promotion to develop and promote a three-year cooperative television advertising package that will feature local cultural entities.
Cherokee Native American Arts Institute Steering Committee, Cherokee, $20,000, to conduct a feasibility study concerning the establishment of a Native American Arts Institute on Qualla Boundary. The Steering Committee is developing partnerships with Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College, Montreat College, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, EBCI Cultural Resources, the Cherokee Historical Association and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM.
Cherokee Potters Guild, Cherokee, $20,000, to revive and promote the authentic Cherokee style of stamped pottery known as Qualla pottery.
Cultural Resources Department (EBCI), Cherokee, $20,000, to establish a database with Geographic Information System mapping software for identifying river cane resources along the Little Tennessee River. This Cherokee Cane Crafters Culture Project is being undertaken to help Cherokee crafters find and harvest river cane.
Development Foundation of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), Cullowhee, $14,074, to develop guidelines for North Carolina teachers to teach Cherokee history, culture and traditions through Internet-accessible resources and create cultural lesson plans for the Internet. Partners include NCCAT, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Cherokee Historical Association, EBCI Cultural Resources, Western Carolina University and the American Memory Project.
Educational Talent Search (ETS), Cullowhee, $4,675, to develop a plan for an EBCI Elder Council program that will help reduce the high school drop-out rate in Cherokee Schools. ETS is a federal program, and it will partner with Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center, area churches and EBCI Cultural Resources’ Elder Advisory Council on this project.
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee, $20,000, to expand the Museum’s education programs, preserve intellectual property and increase visitors’ access to information about Cherokee history and culture.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore, TN, $20,000, to complete the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum amphitheatre addition to attract more visitors and contribute to the cultural and economic growth of the area.
Smokey Mountain Elementary School, Whittier, $9,037, to hire a consultant to develop a plan to implement Cherokee language instruction. Partners include the Early Childhood Cherokee Language Program, Cherokee Central Schools, Dora Reed Tribal Child Care and the Western Carolina University Cherokee Center.
Snowbird After-School Cultural Program, Robbinsville, $20,000, to start a cultural after-school program at the Snowbird Youth Center.
Snowbird Craft Guild, Bryson City, $13,850, to increase the opportunity for Cherokee craft persons to showcase their arts and crafts and sell them to a regional audience at the 9th annual Swain County Heritage Festival. The project also involves the Partnership for the Future of Bryson City/Swain County.
Snowbird Healthier Lifestyle Club, Robbinsville, $12,500, to expand the fitness program, adding equipment and cultural components such as Cherokee outdoor games and wild food gathering.
Snowbird Child Development Center, Robbinsville, $20,000, to install the tricycle path and garden for pre-school children that are part of the Snowbird Natural Learning Project, a play space that will provide natural learning opportunities for the center’s children and teach them about the Cherokee culture.
Western Carolina University College of Arts and Sciences, Cullowhee, $18,847, to establish ongoing projects involving the Fine and Performing Arts at WCU and Tribal cultural entities such as the outdoor drama and local artist groups.
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Economic Development Grants
Cherokee Enhancement Association, Cherokee, $20,000, to place decorative banners throughout the Cherokee, NC, business area and enhance its appeal.
EBCI Bottled Water Program, Cherokee, $18,880, to design a new label for Cherokee Bottled Water.
EBCI Special Projects, Cherokee, $20,000, to complete the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds amphitheatre and provide a protective cover for the grandstand.
EBCI Tribal Planning Office, Cherokee, $20,000, to facilitate the development of a long-term implementation plan for the EBCI government.
Hinton Rural Life Center, Inc., Hayesville, $15,000, to develop, in partnership with Qualla Housing Authority, a comprehensive plan that addresses economic development through job training, and building families’ equity through home ownership.
Vocational Opportunities of Cherokee (VOC), Cherokee, $15,500, to increase VOC’s customer base by expanding its cleaning supply business.
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Employment Opportunity Grants
EBCI Transit and Vocational Opportunities of Cherokee (VOC), Cherokee, $13,000, to conduct a feasibility study for the manufacture, distribution and sale of EBCI vehicle tags.
Sanitation Department (EBCI), Cherokee, $19,780, to develop an organic farming program at the Kituhwah property. Working with the Cherokee Agricultural Extension and North Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, the Sanitation Department plans to establish a program that initially benefits Cherokee elders and other enrolled members with special dietary needs, and eventually to expand the program to serve eating establishments on Qualla Boundary.
Environmental Preservation Grants
Big Cove Community Club, Cherokee, $10,300, to develop a comprehensive revitalization plan for stream corridor restoration along the Big Cove Watershed.
About the Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation was established on November 14, 2000, as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent non-profit foundation funded by the EBCI from gaming revenues generated by the tribe. The Cherokee Preservation Foundation is not part of or associated with any for-profit gaming entity.
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