By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATER STAFF
A project that has delved into the material culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians such as pottery and carvings has won an award for its work. “From the Hands of our Elders” received the Outstanding Project Award this year from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums at its 2013 Guardians of Culture International Awards Program.
Cherokee Pottery, by Anna Fariello, is the second in a series in a project entitled “From the Hands of Our Elders”. The project has won an award from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
“Each of the ‘From the Hands of our Elders’ documentation projects aimed to initiate and inspire the next generation of scholars to learn from local tradition bearers, discover their stories, and reflect on their values,” said Anna Fariello, associate research professor at WCU Hunter Library, who authored the three books in the series. “I am proud to have been a part of helping to make this happen.”
Fariello authored Cherokee Basketry (2009), Cherokee Pottery (2011), and Cherokee Carving (2013).
“The Hunter Library will continue to add content to the Cherokee Traditions website,” she said. “We are currently working with the Cherokee Language Program to add recordings of Cherokee speakers to the site for others to listen to the spoken language.”
Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Inc. released the following statement on Fariello’s award, “We are pleased that Anna Fariello is receiving this award, for compiling these important resources in recognition of Cherokee artistry.”
Roseanna Belt, WCU Cherokee Center, worked with the collaboration between WCU and the Tribe with this project. “I am pleased that the project, “From the Hands of Our Elders”, is receiving recognition with an award from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums. “Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center supports the education to the general public of the Eastern Band’s remarkable history of art which is preserved in our baskets, carvings, and pottery.”
