The Silent Epidemic: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

As we’ve moved into the 21st century, the harsh realities faced by indigenous communities covered up for generations are brought to light, and the fight for indigenous rights has grown, but not nearly enough. Not yet. In honor of November being Native American Heritage month, WCU offered various events on campus to help educate while […]

Recognizing the land during Native American Heritage Month

Originally published in the Western Carolinian November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and respect Indigenous culture. This month also recalls the dark past of colonized land.  Land acknowledgements, formal documents honoring tribal homelands, are used by institutions across America, including WCU.   WCU sits on land that was, and remains, the ancestral […]

Native American Heritage Month is much more than a celebration of the past

Western Carolina University celebrated Native American Heritage Month this November with its fourth annual Native American Heritage Expo featuring a wide variety of events on November 19 and 20. The expo is the largest Native American event held at Western each year and included a presentation of songs in the Cherokee language and a panel […]

Thanksgiving has been with the Cherokee people forever

Thanksgiving means something different to all of us. It can mean overindulging, spending time with family, traveling, turkey dinner at Cracker Barrel, or just plain ole giving thanks- maybe even all of the above. For the Cherokee people, Thanksgiving means celebrating the harvest with the tribe and community. With the Native American Heritage Expo that […]