By Suzy Alstrin
Approximately 50 members of the Cherokee Nation attended a two-day class at the Funk Heritage Center and Bennett History Museum on Reinhardt’s campus last weekend. Titled Cherokee Nation: A History of Resilience, the multi-day event is the Nation’s official course on its people’s history, arts, language, and culture.
As the largest tribe in the United States, the Cherokee Nation consists of over 466,000 citizens, with over 2,400 in Georgia. Its history spans thousands of years and includes the forced removal from north Georgia to the current reservation in Oklahoma.
Cherokee Nation citizens are encouraged to attend classes that take place in various locations nationwide to fully understand the roots of their culture and ancestry. These gatherings also help reconnect the Cherokee people. The Cherokee Nation selected the location at Reinhardt after a member attended a Trail of Tears Association meeting at the Funk Heritage Center and Bennett History Museum.
