The Cherokee Healing and Wellness Coalition is committed to enhancing the lives of people by honoring and reclaiming the seven Cherokee core values especially in the promotion of clean, wholesome, healthy life styles. The seven core values are: spirituality, harmony, education, sense of place, honoring the past, strong character, and sense of humor.
The Coalition is sponsoring its 4th annual Community Day for joining with Community Club officers and community members on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 3-6pm at the Tsali Manor Pavilion. This year again the Cementation (make friends) Ceremony will be featured along with introducing the use of water in our culture. Also, there will be storytelling, exploring the Cherokee value of humor, singing and a social dance. Participants will have an opportunity to identify with their other family clan members and are encouraged to wear traditional dress of their choice. The event will end with a traditional feast.
Everyone is asked to bring a traditional Cherokee food dish for the feast. Such dishes may be made with wild berries or grapes, persimmons, field apricots, corn, beans, squash, mushrooms, wild greens, ramps, potatoes and succotash. Traditional breads made with chestnuts, beans, sweet potatoes, flour corn and hominy. Possible meats are bear, deer, fish, raccoon, turkey, squirrel, rabbit or wild game birds. Nuts are hickory nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and butternuts. Sassafras tea will be provided. Seating is limited so a personal lawn chair is suggested.
During the afternoon, there will be a drawing for various items donated by Coalition and community members for the raffle to raise money for the Forgiveness and Healing Journey planned for 2012. Raffle tickets are available from Coalition members or by calling Carol Long 554-6222 or 788-2132. They are $1 each or six for $5. For more information about the raffle, check out the Coalition’s Website – www.cherokeehealingcoalition.org.
Info: Peggy Hill 736-2509 or Amy Walker 226-3466.
– Cherokee Healing Coalition
