Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Cherokee Preservation Foundation
Announces 21 Grants Totalling $2 Million

Many of the Grants Are for Environmental Programs and Projects

CHEROKEE, NC, September 21, 2005—Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPFdn) announced today that it has awarded 21 new grants totaling just over $2 million for environmental preservation, cultural preservation and economic development programs and projects that will benefit the Eastern Band of Cherokees (EBCI) and the western North Carolina region. For the first time in the seven grant cycles that have taken place since CPFdn’s inception, most of the grants are for programs and projects whose purpose is to protect and enhance the environment.

Environmental Grants

The environmental grants will enable:

Expansion of the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR) program that CPFdn operates with assistance from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Western Carolina University. The purpose of the RTCAR initiative is to restore the traditional Cherokee balance between maintaining and using natural resources like river cane, white oak and clay. New RTCAR grants will enable the tribe to have a complete understanding of the natural resources that exist today as it plans for a growing supply of the natural materials that are vital to Cherokee artisans.
The improvement of water quality in the Tuckaseegee basin by promoting clean water workshops for building contractors and cultivating community understanding of water quality problems.
The creation of a comprehensive EBCI tribal environmental policy and guidelines.
The evaluation of environmental conditions on the EBCI’s tribal lands.
The continuation of a relationship with EARTH University in Costa Rica that will enable an EARTH University intern to complete work on a birding program for visitors to the Qualla Boundary and an eco-study tour in Costa Rica for Cherokee youth.

Cultural Preservation Grants

CPFdn also made an $800,000 grant that will enable Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) to improve and publicize its cultural tourism offerings, the “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama and Oconaluftee Indian Village. The grant also provides funding for a joint marketing effort between CHA, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Qualla Arts and Crafts.

Other cultural preservation grants will enable: continued enrichment of Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Studies program, including expansion of a Cherokee language revitalization partnership with the EBCI and an Elder in Residence experience; development of a local source for traditional seed varieties for Cherokee gardeners and farmers; culture, history and language classes offered to the Cherokee community by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian; the creation of authentic clothing for the staff of Oconaluftee Indian Village that will help them emphasize the village’s new look in 2006, as well as classes from the Museum that will help the village staff better educate visitors; and a film project whose purpose is to chronicle the environmental history of the Appalachian mountains and the diverse people who have inhabited them.

Economic Development and Job Creation Grants

CPFdn is continuing its support of the new Cherokee Central Schools Campus with a grant that will expedite the second phase of the campus’s design. With assistance from CPFdn, Cherokee High School was recently selected to participate in a new collaborative effort between the Gates Foundation and the State of North Carolina to create small, high-quality, high schools that offer rigorous preparation for students’ futures.

Other economic development grants include support for the creation of a business recruitment package to attract retail and other appropriate businesses to the Qualla Boundary; funding that will enable completion of a strategic plan for a new education complex for post-secondary education and training opportunities for tribal members and others in western North Carolina; and a grant award that will benefit the entire region by enabling the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to create an exhibit promoting regional history and culture that will be located at the Grove Arcade Public Market in Asheville.

About Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Since CPFdn's inception, it has made 264 grants totaling nearly $17.9 million. Every $1 awarded by CPFdn is being matched by $1.36 of secured funds and grants or in-kind resources, making CPFdn's total impact to the region $42 million over the past three years. For more information, visit www.cpfdn.org on the Web.