Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
P.O. Box 66 Grant, AL 35747
Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Inc.
(CTNEAL)
Our mission is to be of service to our tribe and all Cherokees and Native Americans, along with making known to the public all the contributions of the Cherokees. We maintain tribal rolls, compile and organize records, artifacts, historical documents, treaties, and the like for the purpose of memorializing the history, culture, and traditions of the Cherokees.
Our mission is charitable, scientific, literary, educational, benevolent, traditional, contemporary, futuristic, and subject to change as we learn and grow in our knowledge and understanding of who we are and who we strive to be.
Background
For many years people have known little about the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians. As a result, there has been a lack of communication and coordination between people who can work together to make their communities better places to live and grow.
The “state of the art” of Native American educational materials and activities today is limited. While there are some locations that provide information on the history and culture of Native American Indians, there are few that have the ability to deliver lessons in a beautiful, natural setting.
In September 2003, the CTNEAL addressed this issue by purchasing 10 acres of property directly adjoining Cathedral Caverns State Park. The purchase of this property gave the CTNEAL the opportunity to begin and complete Phase I of its Cedar Winds Native American Complex which included land purchase and construction of an RV Park & Campground with utility hookups, a bathhouse, registration/camp store and gift shop. Cedar Winds RV Park & Campground now accomodates visitors of Cedar Winds as well as visitors to Cathedral Caverns State Park while giving them the opportunity to learn more of the Native people who once inhabited the caverns and surrounding land.
Oversight of the management of the property is done by the Board of Directors of the CTNEAL and profits are reinvested in the non-profit organization.
Objectives
The primary goal of the CTNEAL is to fully utilize the Cedar Winds property by establishing an authentic Cherokee village, museum, and educational/cultural center to preserve the heritage, culture, and history of the Cherokee Indian.
Our objectives are:
1. Establish an authentic, working Cherokee Indian Village to teach the traditions, dances, and crafts of our ancestors. Some of our tribal members have already visited North Carolina and Oklahoma to view the construction and we have an artist painting of our proposed village.
2. Establish a museum/cultural/educational center that would not only center on our Cherokee culture but would also enlighten visitors on the history of the area and how the caverns were used by the Native Americans.
3. Contacted local schools and schools in surrounding counties to make them aware of our presence and the availability of scheduled field trips to help educate the children on local American Indian history. Several schools have planned their field trips to our Festivals/ Powwows and are aware of the proposed working Cherokee Indian village at Cedar Winds. They are very excited about it and are anticipating its opening. Tribal members have been teaching Native culture for some time now upon request of the local schools. More formal arrangements may assist in the promotion of Native American culture, especially for fourth and fifth graders in Alabama History.
4. Create a few jobs in the area. We believe this project could bring in additional visitors to Marshall and Jackson counties while increasing revenue to those counties.
5. Make campouts available for Boy/Girl Scouts.
6. Provide gainful employment for our tribal members.
7. Provide educational training for tribal members to assist them in obtaining employment or advancing their careers.
8. Provide scholarships and other assistance to our tribal members.
9. Conduct one powwow/festival per year. (Again generating money for surrounding businesses through restaurants, etc.).
10. Production and distribution of advertising material nationally via television, radio, newspapers, mass mailing and the internet.
Phases of Development
Due to the complexity of the project, construction of the development is divided into phases.
Phase 1
Phase 1 began with land acquisition and financing and culminated with the completion of Cedar Winds RV Park & Campground that now provides overnight accommodations for RV’s, campers, or tents. Completion of Phase 1 has allowed CTNEAL to begin operations and produce revenue to begin expansion with Phase II.
Phase 2
Phase 2 will be the construction of an authentic Cherokee Indian Village consisting of:
1. Nine lodges 10’ x 12’.
2. A seven-sided council house 45’ in diameter.
3. A sweat lodge.
4. Holy Man’s lodge that is round and 22’ in diameter.
5. Sacred Fire.
6. The Long House 24’ x 60’.
7. A water source.
8. A watchtower.
Visitors will take a step back in time when they enter Cedar Winds Indian Village surrounded by the beauty of nature with no modern day advantages. Here they will see a way of life from days gone by as they watch skilled craftsmen knapping arrowheads, tanning hides, making baskets, beadwork, storytelling, pottery making, etc.
The village will offer a natural setting for teaching the various Native American ways of life including traditional ceremonies as well as performing Native American weddings.
Phase 3
Phase 3 will be the construction of a 12,000 square foot Native American Museum that will house artifacts from surrounding areas. This building will also house a ticket office, gift shop offering souvenirs as well as hand made native crafts, administrative offices, restrooms, research library, an exhibition hall, and conference area. Two outdoor pavilions will be constructed and used for family outings, business meetings, and other outdoor activities.
