Cherokee People Revisit Homelands at Buck Creek to Foster Stewardship and Cross-Cultural Learning
The Center for Native Health, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Natural Resources Division and the USDA Forest Service, coordinated a historic Forest Visit at Buck Creek, marking the beginning of a series of gatherings aimed at strengthening dialogue and collaboration between the Forest Service and Cherokee people throughout their ancestral lands. This event brought together members of the Cherokee community, including the Elohi Dinigatiyi (Earth Keepers), to exchange knowledge and reinforce stewardship practices for this unique environment.
““As far as we know, this is the most Cherokee people that have been in this place together since removal, which to me is really meaningful.” ”
In this first of several planned visits, a USDA Forest Service botanist shared insights from Western science while engaging in a meaningful exchange with Cherokee knowledge keepers to learn from their deep-rooted expertise in traditional ecological knowledge. The dialogue represents an evolving partnership that merges scientific perspectives to promote informed, sustainable care for ancestral lands and ecosystems. Through this collaborative approach, Indigenous and Western perspectives are working together to support conservation efforts and reinforce “Land Back” initiatives that advocate for Indigenous stewardship.
The Buck Creek Forest Visit is funded by a Partnership Agreement between the USDA Forest Service and The Center for Native Health, underscoring a shared commitment to Cherokee land stewardship and ecological resilience. This gathering reflects The Center for Native Health’s Land and Wellness Program principles, which emphasize that health and community well-being are inherently connected to the land, guided by a balanced approach of Indigenous knowledge and collaborative conservation practices.
For more information about this event or to inquire about upcoming forest visits, please contact Bonnie Claxton, Program Officer via the contact form on the Land & Wellness page.