Cherokee Traditions: From the Hands of our Elders

“Cherokee Traditions” begins with a brief overview of Cherokee crafts, focusing on the key material traditions of basketry, pottery, and carving. The highly visual program then recognizes early 20th century artisans, the Elders who have kept these traditions alive. These Cherokee elders join thousands of unnamed makers who created and maintained traditions during centuries past. Anna Fariello’s “From the Hands of our Elders” series included three books and a website, produced to share important archival collections of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians with the general public. The project was the recipient of the 2013 Guardians of Culture International Awards Program awarded by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.

Program Provided by Funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council

The North Carolina Humanities Council serves as an advocate for lifelong learning and thoughtful dialogue about all facets of human life. We facilitate the exploration and celebration of the many voices and stories of North Carolina’s cultures and heritage. Through our programs, we seek to cultivate informed and active citizenship as an outgrowth of new awareness of self and community.