This year’s Cherokee Friends are shown (left-right) – Dakota Wilnoty, John Toineeta, Mike Crowe, Last Bear Wilnoty, J.D. Arch, and Sonny Ledford. (Photo courtesy of Museum of the Cherokee Indian)
Cherokee Friends, Ani-Tsalagi Digali, is an exciting new program that will expand visitors’ experiences in Cherokee. The Cherokee Friends will be meeting the public at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and at locations throughout downtown Cherokee. They will offer free programs for visitors and will be available for longer programs for groups who schedule a Cherokee Experience through the Museum. Their talks and demonstrations will include dance, storytelling, history, carving, making fire, the chunkey game, use of the atlatl and more. They will be available to answer visitors’ questions about Cherokee cultural attractions, golf, fishing, and special events.
“We hope the Cherokee Friends will give our visitors a more in-depth look at Cherokee history and culture,” said Bo Taylor, Museum executive director.
The program is funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. The group includes Mike Crowe, manager; J. D. Arch, Sonny Ledford, John Toineeta, Dakota Wilnoty and Last Bear Wilnoty – all are EBCI tribal members.
The Friends were selected for their ability to work with the public and their knowledge of the culture. The Museum provided further training in archaeology, history, anthropology, and folklore, and provided access to Archives and Collections for research by the group. In addition, they learned skills like making fire with a bow drill, and created their own moccasins. They are dressed in the Cherokee style of the 1700s.
They will be scheduled in the Museum Lobby and on stages at the Welcome Center, Saunooke Village and the Horseshoe in downtown Cherokee. Dates and times will be posted on the Museum website at www.cherokeemuseum.org, and on the Museum’s Facebook page.
Info: Mike Crowe 497-3481 x 202 or mcrowe@cherokeemuseum.org.
– Museum of the Cherokee Indian
