Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is a federally recognized Indian tribe that lives in western North Carolina in the United States. They are the descendants of about 800–1,000 Cherokees who chose to stay in the Eastern United States when most of their people were moved west by the U.S. government in the late 1830s.

These Cherokees who stayed behind were expected to give up their tribal ways and become U.S. citizens. But in the 20th century, they were able to regain their tribal rights. Their history is closely tied to the Qualla Boundary, a special land area they purchased from the U.S. government.

Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is one of three recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States. The other two are the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, both located in Oklahoma. The EBCI’s main town is Cherokee, North Carolina, which lies near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

History

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians comes from around 800 Cherokees who lived near the Oconaluftee River. They were not forced to move during the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. Thanks to Principal Chief Yonaguska and his helper, William Holland Thomas, they stayed in their homes. This group kept many of their traditional ways and customs.

Another leader named Tsali also wanted to stay. He and a few others tried to stop the soldiers, but he was later captured. After his capture, the small group he protected was allowed to stay in their land, but they had to give up their tribal status and become U.S. citizens.

Later, their descendants came together again in the 1900s and were recognized as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. They bought back some land called the Qualla Boundary, which was part of their old home. Today, the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, North Carolina shows many old items and stories from their past. Nearby, the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual sells traditional crafts made by band members. It was started in 1946 and is one of the oldest places for Native American crafts in the country.

Contemporary language and religion

Further information: New Kituwah Academy, Cherokee language, and Cherokee syllabary

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has many Christian churches, and traditional religious practices have mixed with newer ideas over time. Many traditional dances and ceremonies are still kept alive today.

Since 2007, the Eastern Band has started a program to teach the Cherokee language in schools. Students must learn to speak the language before they graduate from high school. Right now, about 900 people in the area can speak the language, and most of them are older than 50.

Qualla Boundary

The Eastern Cherokee Indian Nation Land, called the Qualla Boundary, is in western North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It mainly lies in Swain County and Jackson County, with smaller parts in other nearby counties. The total land area is 213.934 km².

The Qualla Boundary is a land trust managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The tribe bought this land in the 1870s and it is not a government-created reservation. Today, the tribe makes money from government funds, tourism, and a casino called Harrah's Cherokee. The casino helps support the tribe's projects, culture, and services.

Tourism brings visitors to the area for camping, hiking, fishing, and more. There are many places to see, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Unto These Hills drama, and the Museum of the Cherokee People.

In 1988, the U.S. Congress allowed tribes to open casinos. North Carolina let the Cherokees open a casino offering certain games in 1994. Harrah's Cherokee opened in 1997 and has grown to support many tribal programs. The casino also helps the state of North Carolina. Over the years, the tribe has made agreements to add more games and services. In 2015, they opened a second casino, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River, in Murphy, North Carolina. In 2019, the tribe was allowed to offer sports betting on its lands.

Outside the Qualla Boundary

Since the late 20th century, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has worked to protect important places from the past. They have bought sacred sites like the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin, North Carolina, and others along the Little Tennessee River. These places were built more than 1,000 years ago. The tribe is also working with universities and local groups to create a trail called the Nikwasi-Cherokee Cultural and Heritage Corridor to help people learn about these important sites.

The tribe has also created business groups to help grow their economy. One group, Kituwah LLC, bought land in Tennessee to build stores and hotels. Another group, EBCI Holdings, focuses on casinos and bought one in Indiana. They are also planning new projects in Virginia and Kentucky.

Enrollment and government

To join the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), a person must have a direct ancestor listed on the 1924 Baker Roll and must have at least 1/16 Eastern Cherokee heritage. This is different from the Cherokee Nation, which only needs family ties from the Dawes Rolls, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, which also has heritage requirements but uses a different list.

The EBCI has three parts to its government: leaders, lawmakers, and judges. The leaders are the principal chief and vice-chief, chosen by voting for four years. The lawmakers are the Tribal Council with 12 members, also chosen by voting for two years. The judges include a supreme court and a trial court, with leaders and judges chosen by the principal chief and approved by the Tribal Council. Voting for leaders happens every odd year, with primary voting in June and final voting in September. To vote, a person must be an EBCI member, at least 18 years old, and registered with the tribe.

Notable members

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians includes many talented and important people. Some well-known members are artists, leaders, and educators who have made big contributions to their community.

Here are a few notable members:

• Goingback Chiltoskey (1907–2000), woodcarver and educator
• Amanda Crowe (1928–2004), sculptor and educator
• Joyce Dugan (born 1952), educator and the first woman elected as principal chief
• Charles George (1932–1952), recipient of the Medal of Honor
• Edwin George (1934–2022), folk artist and muralist
• Shan Goshorn (1957–2018), visual artist
• Myrtle Driver Johnson (1944–), translator and a respected community leader
• Will West Long (1869–1947), mask maker, translator, and cultural historian
• Henry McClain Owl (1895–1980) educator, activist, and historian
• Nimrod Jarrett Smith (1837–1893), Principal Chief
• Richard Sneed (born 1967), Principal Chief
• Lottie Queen Stamper (1907–1987), basket maker and educator
• Amanda Swimmer (1921–2018), potter and a respected community leader
• William Holland Thomas (1805–1893), Principal Chief
• Maggie Axe Wachacha (1892–1993), tribal council clerk and a respected community leader
• Jeremiah Wolfe (1924–2018), stone carver, storyteller, and veteran