CPFdn Makes 14 Grants Totaling Nearly $850,000 for Cultural Preservation Endeavors

Two Grants Valued at $458,000 Will Support Language Revitalization Efforts

CHEROKEE, NC, March 23, 2006—Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPFdn) announced today that it has made 14 grants totaling nearly $850,000 to assist programs focused on the preservation of Cherokee culture. Of these, two grants valued at approximately $458,000 have been awarded to support Cherokee language revitalization efforts.

Cherokee Language Revitalization

The purpose of the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program (KPEP) is to provide the Qualla Boundary with opportunities to learn Cherokee language, history and culture. Utilizing previous CPFdn funding, KPEP implemented a summer immersion camp, televised Cherokee language classes, and a Cherokee Language Symposium.
In order to fully address Cherokee language revitalization challenges, KPEP is working to develop a comprehensive revitalization plan. It has just finished a survey to assess the current state of the Cherokee language, and that survey found that 72% of fluent speakers of the language are over the age of 50.

Now KPEP has received a new grant to enable staffing and planning for the Cherokee Language Academy, as well as creation of an immersion and community curriculum, learning materials and resources. Western Carolina University will assist with language revitalization efforts by creating degree programs for Cherokee speakers and developing certification programs for Cherokee language teachers. The combined grants to KPEP and WCU total approximately $458,000.

Other Cultural Preservation Grants

Other cultural preservation grants announced by CPFdn will make the following programs and projects possible:

The second annual Cherokee Day of Caring in which volunteers aid community members in need, will take place in all ten EBCI communities on June 9. CPFdn, the EBCI and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel will again sponsor the event.

The American Legion will develop a plan for a new Cherokee Veterans Memorial.

Western Carolina University will work with the Cherokee Youth Center to develop an arts-based curriculum that includes art, literacy and Cherokee culture.

The Cherokee Youth in Radio (CYIR) program will purchase equipment and services needed to air programming on local media outlets. CYIR will also bring professionals within the Native American broadcast industry to Cherokee to meet with participating students and spark their interest in radio broadcast and journalism.

The Partnership for the Future of Bryson City will address three distinct community needs by introducing elementary school students to traditional Cherokee and Scots-Irish dance and music, developing a heritage trail that includes a guidebook and signage, and forming an affordable housing coalition.

The Cherokee Healing and Wellness Coalition will sponsor a conference on understanding how historical trauma has affected Native American cultures.

The Junaluska Memorial Site and Museum will enhance the information it provides, improve its artifact displays and improve handicap accessibility.

The Cherokee Potters Guild will offer workshops, demonstrate pottery making and seek to become an official member of the Southern Highlands Handicraft Guild.

The Murphy Civitan Club will create a park on the site of Ft. Butler, where the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation began.

Western Carolina University’s College of Arts and Sciences will create a service learning opportunity for WCU students to work with Cherokee elementary and middle school students in the areas of art, music and drama.

Kituwah Preservation and Education Program will investigate the feasibility of a Boarding School Replica project. Such a building could serve two purposes – an educational and historical facility that properly represents the influential boarding school era and its effects on the Eastern Band, and development of a cultural education entity in Cherokee.

CPFdn Has Made 41 New Grants

Overall during the Spring 2006 grant cycle just completed, CPFdn announced 41 new cultural preservation, economic development and environmental protection grants totaling nearly $7 million. As a result, since CPFdn began making grants in 2002, it has made more than 300 grants in the region totaling nearly $25 million.

About Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Cherokee Preservation Foundation was established on November 14, 2000, as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent nonprofit foundation funded by the EBCI from gaming revenues generated by the Tribe. CPFdn is not part of or associated with any for-profit gaming entity.