The three federally recognized Cherokee tribes—Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians—showcase the shared history and cultural lifeways of the Cherokee people through storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, and music and dance performances. 

Events in the Potomac Atrium on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, will be livestreamed: AmericanIndian.si.edu/livestream.

*Schedule and presenters subject to change.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

LEVEL 1: POTOMAC ATRIUM

10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Art Demonstrations
Cathy Abercrombie (Loom Weaving), Janelle Adair (Storyteller), Vivian Cottrell (Basketry), Betty Frogg (Twining), Matt Girty (Stone Carving), Louise Goings (Baskets), Butch Goings (Woodcarving), Vyrl Keeter (Flint Knapping), Dylan Morgan (Rivercane Basket Weaving), Elle and Lou Montelongo (Beadwork/Painting), Eddie Morrison (Sculpture), Jane Osti (Pottery), Nola Pina (Finger Weaving), Traci Rabbit (Painting), Lisa Rutherford (Pottery/Textiles), Carrie Vance (Twining), Charlotte Wolfe (Stickball Balls, Moccasins).

10:30 AM & 4:30 PM
Traditional Cherokee Stories by Robert Lewis
Cherokee Nation National Treasure

11 AM & 2 PM
Traditional Flute Music by Tommy Wildcat
Cherokee Nation National Treasure

11:30 AM & 2:30 PM
Atsila Anotasgi Dancers (Fire Builders)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

12 & 3 PM
Cherokee National Youth Choir
Cherokee Nation

12:30 & 3:30 PM
Song and Flute by Jarret Wildcat
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

1 & 4 PM
Tribal Ambassadors and Tribal Royalty
Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

1:30 PM
Traditional Cherokee Stories by Janelle Adair
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

LEVEL 1: RASMUSON THEATER

11 AM–12:45 PM
Cherokee Almanac Series
OsyioTV Screenings

• Cherokee Life Pre-European Contact
• Clan Law: Cherokee Systems of Justice
• Cherokee Justice, The Archilla Smith Trial
• The Pin Indians–Deadly Secrets

Q&A with LeeAnn Dreadfulwater

1 & 3 PM
Who are the Keetowahs? by Ernestine Berry*
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

2–2:30 PM
Filmmaker Favorites
OsyioTV Screenings

• A Fire for the Future: Cherokee Storyteller Whitney Roach
• Man Articulating Change: The Story of Cordney McClain

Q&A with producer & director Colby Luper

LEVEL 3: imagiNATIONS Activity Center
Tickets for children’s activities are required and are available first-come, first-served in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Limit 16 tickets for each activity.

11 AM–12 PM
Corn Husk Dolls

1–2 PM
Clay Turtle Medallions

3–4 PM
Miniature Gourd Masks

LEVEL 4

11 AM–12 PM
Meet & Greet
Principal Chief Joe Bunch
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
Room 4018–4019

1–3 PM
Meet & Greet and Tribal ID Renewal
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.
Cherokee Nation
Room 4018–4019