This Eastern Band of Cherokee presentation invites you to discover the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), a resilient tribe that has preserved and celebrated its rich cultural heritage despite historical adversities. It reveals the EBCI’s community profile, showcasing their ancestral connection to the land and their resistance to forced removal. Next the project evaluates HR 548, a bill that seeks to restore historic lands to the EBCI, empowering their conservation and preservation efforts. It also introduces the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) as a cultural institution that advocates for ongoing Native American collaboration. This endeavor celebrates cultural events such as Cherokee days, which display the EBCI’s traditions, spirituality, and art, while emphasizing the role of tribal members in organizing and participating in these initiatives. It concludes by highlighting the EBCI’s connection to the land, sustainable practices, and their hope for a future that respects and protects Indigenous rights and cultural heritage. See also: List of references.

Michele Atwater is dedicated to the ambitions of lifelong learning and creative engagement. She is currently serving as the UX Graduate Assistant at the SJSU School of Information, while also actively pursuing her MLIS degree with an emphasis in Emerging Technology. Integrating a diverse academic background in Business, Literature, Museum Studies and Art History, Michele has several professional certifications in User Experience (UX) and Design Thinking. Her past work history has been in Marketing and Program Management at a high-tech start-up firm, as well as volunteering in various mobile technology initiatives for cultural and educational institutions.