Students in last year’s Cherokee History and Culture Institute learn the Cherokee Bear Dance from the Warriors of Anikituwah at the Kituwah Mound site. (Photo courtesy of Museum of the Cherokee Indian)
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer the Cherokee History and Culture Institute July 11-15. The five-day institute will include information on Cherokee archaeology, anthropology, history, folklore, literature, geography and stereotypes. It will be taught by Barbara R. Duncan, education director at the Museum, with presentations and workshops by EBCI tribal members. The program includes field trips on the Qualla Boundary.
“This course is open to educators and everyone, and we hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to learn about Cherokee people from a Cherokee institution,” said Bo Taylor, executive director of the Museum. Barbara Duncan is the author of several award-winning books on Cherokee history and culture including “Living Stories of the Cherokee” and the “Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook” with co-author Brett Riggs. Cherokee presenters will include storytellers, dancers, and artists. Field trips will include the Kituhwa Mound, Junaluska gravesite, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the outdoor drama Unto These Hills.
Participants are responsible for their own accommodations and food. Cost of the institute is $500. Discounts are available for Museum members at certain levels and for EBCI tribal members. The Institute includes more than 40 contact hours and in the past has been used for continuing education credits. Past participants have included classroom teachers K-12, college professors, writers, historical interpreters, park rangers, counselors, and the Cherokee Nation Teacher Enrichment staff.
Info: bduncan@cherokeemuseum.org or 497-3481 x 306. More information and registration forms are available at: https://www.cherokeemuseum.org/learn/.
– Museum of the Cherokee Indian
