The culmination of this year’s program occurred via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 2 with over 100 community leaders and volunteers from 13 western North Carolina Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Eight EBCI community centers were honored with cash awards and recognition, and seven won Best in Class awards.

The Cherokee, whose homeland once covered the Southern Appalachian mountains, consider Kituwah hallowed ground. Today, fittingly, it is also a conservation centerpiece for scientists with the tribe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and other agencies.

Each year, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recognizes the Friday after Thanksgiving as a tribal holiday known as Tsali Day.  This year, a group of tribal members are organizing an event honoring Tsali Day and acknowledging the importance that the Tribe recently achieved federal trust land status for Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee.