Visitors are greeted by (left to right) Rich
Bottchenbaugh, Kim Bottchenbaugh and Trent Wolfe of the Cherokee
Friends.
Cherokee Friends, a new group that welcomes
tourists, educates them about the Eastern Band’s culture and
history, and gives the travelers information about directions, local
attractions, and food and lodging options, has been a big hit this
summer with tourists and locals alike.
The group, which was formed by Qualla Arts & Crafts, Cherokee
Historical Association and Cherokee Travel and Promotions with a
grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation, included ten members
of the Tribe in its inaugural year, many of them high school and
college students. Cherokee Travel & Promotion’s Buck West
provided training similar to that which he gives new Welcome Center
employees, Nancy Maney and Johnnie Ruth Maney made clothing similar
to what Tribal members wore in the 1700s (using washable fabrics
instead of wool), and then the Cherokee Friends first hit the streets
of Cherokee in June.
Kim Bottchenbaugh is a crafter who applied in the spring because
she wanted the opportunity to “get out of the house and talk
with people,” and she has enjoyed the experience.
“ A lot of visitors are really interested in our culture,
and we point them to Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Museum,” she
said, “And many people want to know where they can get authentic
Cherokee art and we tell them about Qualla Arts & Crafts and
the privately owned stores that sell the work of Cherokee artists
and crafters.”
Bottchenbaugh has been amused at how many people tell her their
grandmothers are Cherokee. “We never hear about a single Cherokee
grandfather,” she laughed. Recently she so enjoyed an encounter
with a couple visiting from the Ukraine that she took off the jewelry
she had made and was wearing and presented the earrings to the woman
and her pin to the man. The couple is going to reciprocate and send
her something from the Ukraine as soon as they return home.
Members of the group have been out and about Tuesdays through Saturday,
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On rainy days they have visited Tsali Manor
and Cherokee Hospital, entertaining residents and patients with Cherokee
animal dances. Now that school is back in session, Cherokee Friends
has shrunk in numbers but remaining Friends will work through at
least September.
“ Most in our group were teenagers, and I was really proud
of how they truly showed up and did a great job,” Kim said.
Kim’s son, Rich, is also in Cherokee Friends, and other friends
this summer were Kelsey Standingdeer, Michael Long, Terrence Taylor,
Jakeli Swimmer, Kelly Lossiah, Lea Ann Littlejohn, Felicia Johnson
and Trent Wolfe.
“ We heard a lot of positive comments from tourists and locals
about how the Cherokee Friends helped visitors understand the Cherokee
and our ways,” said Yona Wade, outreach coordinator for Qualla
Arts & Crafts, who managed the program this summer. “They
like the great service the Cherokee Friends have performed and say
the group looks really good, too.”
