Western Carolina University Cherokee Studies Program

10/05/2026

https://www.wcu.edu/stories/posts/wcu-cherokee-center-revives-community-programming.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawUwvVZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUFXRmNFcnAzSU9RSzN5eDVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYT0bbM-YftjZCSuVUNwGfj8uxx3EtyVmi6Lhaynce7myziiyelQhJazXspk_aem_S3ZHIYJ8b8YlNxcOQz660A

For the first time in more than 20 years, Western Carolina University's Cherokee Center is offering community enrichment and continuing education courses.

09/30/2026

A few more photos from this afternoon's Orange Shirt Day event. Great work, Digali'i!
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
WCU Cherokee Center
WCU Anth and Soc
Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University

09/30/2026

It's the time of year when the elk stop by the WCU Cherokee Center for career advice and help with college applications.

09/30/2026

September 30 is the National Day of Remembrance for US Indian Boarding Schools - aka Orange Shirt Day. Stop by the fountain area, where Digali'i (WCU's Native American student organization) is marking the day.
WCU Cherokee Center
Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
WCU Anth and Soc

09/22/2026

Did you miss our panel Restoring Cherokee Perspectives: Exploring First Voice Research Methodologies? Watch it now!

On September 18, Museum of the Cherokee People hosted a conversation exploring First Voice research, why it matters, new Cherokee research, and navigating academia.

Panelists:

• Delancey Griffin (Cherokee Nation), archaeologist
• Constance Owl (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), historian
• Rebecca Nagle (Cherokee Nation), journalist
• MotCP Executive Director Shana Condill (EBCI), moderator

Restoring Cherokee Perspectives: Exploring First Voice Research Methodologies was presented in partnership with the EBCI Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the Cherokee Archaeological Symposium and made possible through support from North Carolina Arts Council.

Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=049AFxqyI8c

09/17/2026

Excited to learn that our friend (and WCU alum) Constance Yellowtail Owl will be speaking at the Museum of the Cherokee People (and on Zoom) tomorrow September 18 at 10:30am. See the post below for details and to learn more about Constance's work.
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
Western Carolina University Department of History

Meet Cherokee women changing academia through First Voice research and self-representation in the field.

This Friday, September 18 at 10:30am ET in-person and via Zoom, Museum of the Cherokee People's Restoring Cherokee Perspectives: Exploring First Voice Research Methodologies, welcomes Constance Yellowtail Owl (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) to the conversation.

➡ REGISTER HERE for the virtual presentation: bit.ly/46Wn76t

👥 Or join us in-person: TJ Holland Education Room, Education Wing, Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, NC

Constance Owl is a Presidential Graduate Fellow and PhD student in History at the University of Georgia. A citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from the Cherokee County community, she studies Cherokee intellectual traditions and Indigenous print culture, focusing especially on the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper.

Her research centers on translating and interpreting the paper’s Cherokee language articles to illuminate Cherokee political, cultural, and intellectual life during the Removal era.

Working closely with first language Cherokee speakers and Cherokee language specialists, she aims to enrich scholarly understandings of Cherokee governance and thought while contributing to the linguistic resources and interpretive frameworks available to Cherokee communities today.

Owl earned her MA in History from Western Carolina University in 2020 and her BA in Native American Studies from Stanford University in 2018.

This free and open-to-the-public event is presented in collaboration with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) and the Cherokee Archaeological Symposium. It is made possible through the generous support of the North Carolina Arts Council.

09/16/2026

Just one week until Rooted in the Mountains, WCU's annual symposium exploring the intersections of health, environment, and traditional knowledge. For schedule and registration, follow the link in the comments or use the QR code below. Free for WCU students, reduced registration fee for students and personnel of other universities. Free for WCU staff and faculty, except for a small snack and coffee fee.
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
WCU Cherokee Center
WCU College of Health and Human Sciences

09/11/2026

We’re more than happy to help spread the word about the WCU Cherokee Studies Cherokee Language Repertory Choir. The choir meets every Monday at 4:00 p.m. at Cullowhee Baptist Church and brings together hymns and songs in the Cherokee language. Everyone is welcome, and no previous choir or Cherokee language experience is needed. The Repertory Choir also performs both on and off campus, making this a wonderful opportunity to learn and participate in our culture throughout the WCU community. If you’re interested in joining or learning more about the choir, contact Sara Hopkins at [email protected].

And a special thank you to our Digali’i students for continuing to share opportunities and help build community for our Native students at WCU! 💜💛

09/11/2026

Our friend Sky Sampson (WCU alum, former Cherokee Center director, present EBCI education secretary) out there doing the good work!

09/02/2026

Congratulations to our friend Driver Blythe (WCU alum and current WCU grad student in History and Cherokee Studies) on being named to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Board of Directors!
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
Western Carolina University Department of History
WCU Alumni Association

THE GOOD STUFF:
Driver Blythe, EBCI member and graduate student at Western Carolina University, has been selected to serve as a member of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Board of Directors. Blythe’s appointment comes with a background in Cherokee art preservation and his past 5 years of helping museums and collections identify their Cherokee arts and crafts both local and in surrounding areas. Blythe states, “I am honored for this opportunity, and I want to thank Shana Condill, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, and all of those who have helped me and believed in me to make it this far. I hope to make my tribe and the board proud!” (Photo contributed)