Brooke's Reflection

Last week flew by; our trip was packed with time at Dora Reed and visiting local restaurants and spots around Cherokee. At Dora Reed I worked in a one and two year old room. The kids were absolutely wonderful. Spending time with young children, while exhausting, is refreshing. They are so happy and excited for life. Waking up at 6:30 is not something I am used to, but going into the classroom and seeing these bright little faces made it worth it.
On Tuesday, we were outside playing on the playground and one of the kids found a worm. A teacher starts looking for more because every child on the playground immediately ran over in an effort to hold it. One of my favorite memories was hearing the squeals the kids made at the sight of the worm, half in fear half in delight. We ended up finding over a dozen worms, and the kids even made me hold one. Its easy to forget how new and exciting things are when you are a young kid. That was one thing that surprised me about this week. When I found out I would be in the one and two year old room I was expecting a lot of sleeping, crying, and dirty diapers. I definitely underestimated the ability and capacity of the children. I was astounded at the kids' ability to learn. By the end of the week, I honestly stopped seeing them as babies, but truly as young people with distinct personalities.
It was sad to hear about some of the things going at Dora Reed. I sincerely hope the center is able to stick around, because despite whatever may have happened, it is needed in the community. I don't know what a lot of the parents would do without it. It provides food and stability that some of the kids wouldn't have otherwise.
I am so happy I went on this trip. I loved spending time in a new community, and not just as a tourist. I think getting to work at Dora Reed, I got a much wider glance into the life and community of the Cherokee people. We had the chance to visit the brand new school, consisting of an elementary, middle, and high school. It was amazing. I would love to work in a school like that. Not only were the facilities beautiful, but there were so many ties to the culture. The entire campus was built with the Cherokee tradition in mind. The school also offers Cherokee language classes, and also classes for traditional Cherokee crafts like basket weaving and carving.
I can't describe how much I enjoyed this week, and how much I learned. I got to spend it in a beautiful place with a great group of people. Thanks Dr. Bryant for putting the trip together, I had an amazing time!

Building the Palace

Jessica helps one of her kids build a "palace" for his action figures!

Banquet

Our last night in Cherokee we had dinner together in one of the meeting rooms at the Holiday Inn. Each of the participants received a children's book that tells the story of Selu and Kanati, the Cherokee Corn Mother and Hunter. We were able to relax and talk about our week and what lessons we were taking home with us. The students, Ryan, Mary-Claire, Arden, Whitney, Jessica and Brooke were fantastic and a real credit to Appalachian State University.

Ready to Rumble!!

These three young men are obviously ready to take on any bad guys who show up in their room (especially the one in the middle who is striking his best "ninja pose")!!

End of an Era

We will be heading home tomorrow. Sadly, a CSB tradition won't get to happen. Each of the last three years we have ended our trip with an Indian Taco at Grandma's Pancake and Steak restaurant. Grandma's has been around over thirty years, and I have been eating there for almost twenty.

Unfortunately, on December 2nd of last year Sam Parker, the smiling guy with the gift for cooking chili and frybread, passed away. Sam was a true gentleman. Grandma's closed at 2 each day, and we work at the Head Start until 2:30. When he found out who we were and why we were in Cherokee, Sam would hold the restaurant open for us and then cook us up whatever we wanted. Last summer, when my wife was complaining that she could never get her frybread to taste like the ones at Grandma's, Sam came out of the kitchen, gave her his recipe, and told her the best way to make it.

He was one of those rare genuinely good guys left on Turtle Island, and he and his magical Indian Tacos will be missed.

Too sad

In some ways, this year's trip to Cherokee has been a depressing event. The children at Dora Reed and Big Cove have been their usual adorable and heart-stealing selves. But this story has dominated the news and gossip here during our time on the boundary. It is such a horrible, horrible story that it almost can't be processed. Sadly, the students and I have heard many more recent stories about domestic violence and child neglect and abuse. This just isn't the kind of stuff you can learn about and then grab a burger and head out for bingo.

Without doubt the trip has been a worthwhile experience. I think we have all had our eyes opened and been painfully reminded how dark and frightening the world too often is for the most vulnerable among us. I suppose we could all be at the beach sunning ourselves. But I for one would rather risk my heart in the mountains than bury my head in the sand.

Good Thing We're Not Camping

A look at the river this afternoon is Big Cove. After a day-long deluge, the river looked like it was ready to jump the bank in several spots on the Boundary. Even more rain is expected tomorrow, so we may all be swimming to work!

Hands On

ASU student Ryan Waldrep plays outside with some of the boys in his class at Dora Reed. Ryan has been a natural working with these kids.

Campaign Season

The campaign for Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee nation is underway here on the Boundary. At left is a campaign poster for incumbent chief Michell Hicks' reelection effort.

Destination Big Cove

Early Missionary

This stone marks the grave of Reverend Ulrich Keener. Reverend Keener helped found the Methodist church in the Soco community of Qualla. This was the first permanent Christian church on the boundary. His parsonage still stands (with some structural help and repairs) on the grounds of the church, which also continues to hold services nearly 200 years after its founding.

Confederate Grave @ Campground Cemetery (Qualla Boundary)

William Holland Thomas

We spent this afternoon doing some sight-seeing. We traveled to the Campground Cemetery. This is a very old cemetery that contains a number of graves from Cherokee Confederate soldiers. The entrance to the cemetery also has a memorial to William Holland Thomas. Thomas, known as "The White Chief," was adopted as a child by the Cherokee and is largely responsible for the fact that the Eastern Band of Cherokee, unlike every other Indian nation in North America, hold deed and title to their land. His memorial is behind the students.

Off and Running

The CSB team, bright and early out front of the Dora Reed Center. We had a great day! Arden and Mary Claire worked at the Big Cove center, and the rest of us worked in town.

Starting Up...

We made it to Cherokee in spite of the snow, sleet and general nastiness of the weather. We also dodged a rock slide outside of McDowell County that sent us on one hell of an adventurous "detour." When I asked a man in Louise's Famous Rock House Restaurant why the road was closed he replied with a look of confused contempt: "'Cause they ain't no road there no more." Gulp.

We meet up for breakfast tomorrow morning at 7 before heading to the Dora Reed and Big Cove Head Start centers. Oh, and then I get to find an (hopefully) honest mechanic to fix my brakes. In Maggie Valley they started sounding like two bulldogs with a longstanding grudge. Sigh.

Can't wait to get into the kitchen and start making PB&Js for all those kids!

Almost Here

We head for Cherokee tomorrow!

Downtown Cherokee, circa 1953

Coming Soon

Check in over the next couple of days for brief biographies of the ASU students headed to Qualla!

Counting Down....

This year's Cherokee Spring Break leaves Boone at 1:00 this Sunday, March 6th and will return March 11th. We are working again this year (thanks to the incomparable Amanda Bradley) at the Dora Reed Head Start Center and at the Big Cove Head Start (Swayney!!). Students going this year are: Jessica Barr, Mary Lamm, Arden Williams, Whitney Dunlap, Brooke Baucom and Ryan Waldrep.

New Site

We will still be posting daily to this blog, but this year we will also be posting to our Facebook page. You can follow us and send us your thoughts and well wishes at this link.