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Travel west through the North Carolina mountains on Highway 74 and you’ll enter the Qualla Boundary, the 100 square mile home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You’re welcome there. In fact, the Tribe is hoping you’ll stop by. This community is betting on more than gaming to grow the local economy. They’re counting on tourism.
Doug Cole is a Strategic Planner for the Eastern Band of Cherokee. He says, “Right now Cherokee is at a transition point for development.” Cole adds, “Since the mid 90’s we’ve been more a destination for gaming and I think the challenge is reaching a balance between the gaming and tourism.” The goal either way is to keep more money in Cherokee.
To bring in more tourists dollars, members of the Oconaluftee Indian Village are coming up with new ways to attract visitors to Cherokee. John Tissue is the Executive Director of the Cherokee Historical Association. “We try to make enough when we finish up in October to get us through until May. So it’s a struggle. And for the future we want to expand our revenue strings.”
They’ve updated the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills, now in its 59th season. Today the costumes and dances are more authentic. And unlike years past, most of the actors are Cherokee. They’ve also added more attractions-- including the Festival of Native Peoples, in July featuring dancers and artists.
“We are up right now about 7-8% over the last year and that’s better than most of the things that are around. So I really think that we are doing things that are right,” says Tissue.
It’s been 15 years since the Pittman family last visited Cherokee.
Margaret and Rebecca Pittman are from Greenville, South Carolina. “We came today because we saw this advertised and we actually have some Cherokee heritage so we were really interested in things that were going on here.”
The street performers are still capturing tourists’ attention. But, some things have changed over the years. Today, there’s more emphasis on setting the record straight about who the Cherokee people really are.
Kara Martin is Miss Cherokee 2007. “The question that I get the most is I thought you lived in teepees… We never lived in teepees. We were the farming tribe so we stayed put whereas the western Cherokee’s traveled a lot and did actually live in teepees.”
The Oconaluftee Village, Qualla Arts Center and Museum of the Cherokee Indian are working together to educate guests and promote the area.
Ken Blankenship is the Museum’s Director. “We want them to leave, understanding why the people were here, better understanding, and any exhibit it has to tell a story. I hope they leave with a better understanding of what an Indian is instead of what they see on TV.”
Here, tourists see first hand the sense of pride that comes when locals share their craft and culture.
“People want something real, not stamped made in China,” says Jason Lambert, Grants Coordinator for the eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
It’s important Lambert says to pass on those traditions. They’re hoping visitors come, spend their money and leave better understanding the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee Welcome Center
498 Tsali Blvd.
Post Office Box 460
Cherokee, North Carolina 28719
Toll Free: 800-438-1601
FAX: 828-497-8196
travel@nc-cherokee.com
Watch the NC Now Feature
An interview with Shirley Cloer